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Looking for ways to go wild this weekend ? Then think about throwing a big - time 217th birthday smash for one of America ’s least know presidents of all metre , Mr. James K. Polk , put up November 2 , 1795 . Here are some hosting tips to get you start …
1. Keep a low profile…
We ’ve all been to parties with an overbearing host who insists on being the center of attention . But your posh Polk party need a ego - erase tinge . Be the inscrutable , shadowy host that blends into the scope . Even at the acme of his calling , Polk was recognise for being unknown — particularly outdoors of the Earth of politics . In fact , in the 1844 election , Polk ’s opponents alluded to his rival ’s obscurity with one sententious campaign slogan : “ Who is James K. Polk ? ”
2. But be accessible.
Polk may have been the most available Chief Executive in United States history . Polk held presidential “ office hours ” twice a calendar week , during which implicated citizens could dangle by to chat . All you had to do was knock on the White House threshold , gift your identity card to the gatekeeper , and wait your turn . So when you host your classy Polk party , make yourself available to natter with your guests about any company - related questions or concern .
3. WWJD?
Polk was a big fan of Wacko Jacko ( Old Hickory ’s other , lesser - known moniker ) . In fact , Polk was in all probability the most Jacksonian Chief Executive in history — even more devoted to Manifest Destiny than Andrew Jackson himself . Indeed , Polk oversaw the greatest territorial enlargement of the United States to engagement : a one - third growth in res publica size . So whenever the stress of party planning seems like too much , ask yourself one simple question : What would Jackson do ?
4. No Drinking/Dancing/Cards Permitted…
Polk ’s wife Sarah was a devout Presbyterian who banned dance , posting games , and liquor at White House receptions . In compliancy to her unwavering convictions , music and dancing were suspend at the initiatory ball , then resumed after she and the Chief Executive leave . These rather stern limitations may sound like bad news for your bash . Look at it this elbow room : You ’ll pull through a long ton on entertainment cost . But to see to it that your guests do n’t arrange a mutiny , you should probably ensure the food ’s good .
5. But You Can Play Oregon Trail.
Remember that disgusted computer plot from simple school — the one where you had to outlast a rough - and - tough wagon ride across the American countryside by fording rivers , hunting bison , and steering clear of dysentery ? Without Polk , this groundbreaking ceremony diversion might not exist . Polk go in the presidency with the intention of putting an end to Britain ’s claim to the Oregon Territory — hence the campaign slogan “ 54 - 40 or conflict . ” Thankfully , the U.S. never actually went to warfare . Through a combination of military threats and statesmanship , Polk arrived at a via media with England that fixed the Oregon Territory ’s edge at the 49th parallel . Seeing as basically every form of merrymaking will be proscribe at your bang , you may at least toy with guest with their pet puerility biz . In fact , there ’s even a newer 2011 iOS / Android variant of this honest-to-god classic .
6. Break out the Brandy.
Although boozing should be mostly prohibited at your belt , you should definitely break out a bottle of brandy as a tribute to Polk ’s speculative - assedness . At 17 , Polk undergo an operation to have his kidney stones removed . Because anesthesia was n’t available , Polk was awake during the entire surgery , with nothing but a bit of brandy to dull the painful sensation . The procedure was a achiever ; however , some historians suspect it may have left him sterile .
7. Work Yourself to Death
Polk may have been the hardest play chairwoman in account . In fact , he once declared , " No President who performs his responsibility faithfully and scrupulously can have any leisure . ” mighty from the get - go , Polk set out to accomplish five major goal during the follow four years : reestablish an independent treasury ; lower the tariff ; break up the difference with England over Oregon ; acquire California ; and annex Texas . After only one term , he ’d accomplished his ambitious agenda . All that voiceless work get along with a monetary value , though . 53 - year - old Polk fail three month after leave office — piss his the short retreat of any American chairman . While Polk die of Asiatic cholera , some historiographer have suggested that his age of non - stop working may have weakened his body and made him more vulnerable to transmission . So be warned : Planning a posh Polk bash command some serious stamina .
8. Keep It Short and Sweet.
9. Keep It Understated.
Polk is known as the saturnine horse president — a relative unknown region who rise up from obscurity to steal the nominating speech and after the election . James K. Polk ’s meteoric wage increase to fame was launched by intra - party tension . In 1844 , the Democrats became embroiled in a nomination battle between former President Martin Van Buren ( who ’d lost reelection 4 years earlier ) and Michigan senator Lewis Cass . While Van Buren won the most voter turnout , he did n’t garner the required 2/3 majority to secure the nomination . When it became obvious that neither he nor Cass would be able-bodied to mobilize enough support , Polk was offered up as via media candidate — a Jacksonian Democrat who supported the appropriation of Texas . Polk went on to get the better of Whig rival Henry Clay in the general election .
Channel Polk ’s non-white - buck appeal when plan your brawl . Even mean your party may not be the flashy rager on the pulley-block , it might offer an sympathetic option . Just verify your knock does justice to the remembering of the man historians call " America ’s least - lie with eventful chairperson . " Because the only other testimonial he ’s got is aThere Might Be Giants song .
