In 1844, James K. Polk became the first dark horse candidate to win the presidency, beating Henry Clay. Polk promised that he would be a one-term president. Challenges: James K. Polk was an avowed ...

Born: November 2, 1795, in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina... James K. Polk, the original "dark horse" candidate, laid out his foreign policy and domestic aims early, achieved them in one term ...

The Smithsonian Institution was established with funds from James Smithson (1765–1829), a British scientist who left his estate to the United States to found “at Washington ... into law by President ...