William Henry Harrison Event Timeline

William Henry Harrison (9) Event Timeline

03/04/1841 - 04/04/1841

11/10/1840

Election Day. Wins 79.6% of the Electoral College and 52.9% of the popular vote defeating Democratic nominee (and incumbent) Martin Van Buren. Harrison is the first Whig Party nominee to become President.

12/02/1840

Electors cast their ballots.

1841

02/10/1841

Electoral votes tabulated by Congress.

03/04/1841

Inaugural Address. Harrison calls for constitutional amendment limiting presidents to one term in office.

03/09/1841

In United States v. The Amistad, the Supreme Court rules 7-1 that the Africans on the ship Amistad were not slaves, but had been kidnapped, and the Africans were therefore legally free.

03/17/1841

At urging of his Whig allies in Congress, by Proclamation calls a Special Session of Congress to begin on 05/31/1841. It is anticipated that this will lead to a new Bank of the United States.

03/27/1841

Becomes bedridden with cold as a result of delivering his inaugural address in a cold rain. The cold developed into pneumonia.

04/04/1841

Dies of pneumonia, the first president to die in office. There is great constitutional uncertainty regarding vice presidential succession and the legitimate role assumed by Vice President Tyler.