Born on This Date November 2: James K. Polk

Born on this date, November 2, is James K. Polk, the Eleventh President of the United States from 1845-1849. A graduate of the University of North Carolina, Polk was elected to Congress and served as governor of Tennessee before becoming President.

While he was the head of the executive office, Polk expanded the United States to the Pacific Ocean with the acquisition of Oregon Territory and New Mexico and California from the British and Mexico, respectively. By expanding the United States, Polk inadvertently fueled the slavery debate that eventually was one of the leading causes of the states' rights versus Federal rights that ingnited the Civil War.

Polk signed a treaty with the British that established the current border with Canada. In the final treaty that ended the Mexican War, Polk purchased territories that expanded the United States territory in the biggest land increase since the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.

By the time James K. Polk died of cholera just three months after leaving office, Americans were already rushing westward into California to find gold as the 49ers went to find their fortunes. It was one of the immediate impacts of one of his decisions in office that began the legacy of modern day California.