This Day in History: William Henry Harrison died of pneumonia on this day in 1841, becoming the first President of the United States to die in office, and setting the record for the briefest administration. This of course followed the longest ever US presidential inauguration speech. The day of the inauguration was overcast with cold wind and a noon temperature estimated to be 48.5 °F (9.2 °C), but the President-elect chose not to wear an overcoat, hat, or gloves for the ceremony. Harrison's speech consisted of 8,445 words.
The benefit of a short term is that it does leave little time for damage.
Harrison's tenure as leader was short, but it was not the shortest.
Urban VII was Pope for 12 days before he succumbed to malaria. However, in his short term, he managed to enact the very first public smoking ban.
Lady Jane Grey of England was Queen for 9 days.
Frank Forde of Australia was Prime Minister for 5 days.
John I of France (1316) became King before he was even born, but 5 days after his birth he was dead. Some claim poisoning took his life.
After Hitler, Joseph Goebbels was pronounced Chancellor of Germany, but this lasted one day before he committed suicide, alongside his 6 children and wife.
Mo of the Jin Dynasty (China) was Emperor for 1 day before he was killed.
Louis XIX of France was king for about 14-20 minutes.
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