William Henry Harrison (#9)
The president with the shortest term in U.S. history — test your knowledge of William Henry Harrison, the war hero who died just 31 days into office.
About William Henry Harrison (#9)
William Henry Harrison (1773–1841) holds the distinction of the shortest presidency in American history — just 31 days. A Virginia-born military hero who had defeated Tecumseh's confederacy at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811 and fought in the War of 1812, Harrison ran a savvy populist campaign in 1840 with the famous slogan "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too." His "Log Cabin and Hard Cider" campaign against the incumbent Van Buren was one of the first modern media-driven elections.
Harrison delivered the longest inaugural address in U.S. history — nearly 8,500 words delivered over almost two hours in cold, wet weather without a hat or coat. He developed pneumonia (or possibly enteric fever, according to some historians) and died on April 4, 1841 — exactly one month after taking office. His death set a critical constitutional precedent: Vice President John Tyler insisted he was the rightful president, not merely "acting president" — establishing the succession principle that remains in force today. Harrison's grandson Benjamin Harrison would later become the 23rd president.