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William Henry Harrison Inauguration

On this day in 1773, the ninth President of the United States, William Henry Harrison is born in Virginia.

He was the last president born as a British subject and the first president to die in office.

In 1841, he began the shortest presidential term ever served, which lasted just 32 days.

Power and the Beneficent Creator

William Henry Harrison also has the record for the longest inaugural address. It lasted one hour and 45 minutes, on that cold, snowy morning of March 4th, 1841.

The address, though not historically revered, contains this essential truth:
“We admit of no government by divine right, believing that so far as power is concerned the Beneficent Creator has made no distinction amongst men; that all are upon an equality, and that the only legitimate right to govern is an express grant of power from the governed. The Constitution of the United States is the instrument containing this grant of power to the several departments composing the Government.”

 

William Henry Harrison Inauguration