Franklin Pierce was the fourteenth president of the United States.  He was the first President to use the words, "I do solemnly affirm" when taking the oath at his inauguration.  The other presidents say, "I do solemnly swear," but he objected to the word "swear" because of Matthew 5:34-37.  Article Two of Section One of the Constitution allows a President to say, "I do solemnly affirm" instead of "swear."

Important events during President Pierce's administration were:

• Envelopes with stamps were first used in June 1853.

• The patent on railroad sleeping cars was issued to H. B. Myer on September 19, 1853.

• The Gadsden Purchase was made on December 30, 1853.  It was an agreement between Mexico and the United States regarding the borders between Mexico and Arizona and New Mexico.  The United States bought 29,000 square miles from Mexico for $10 million. 

• The Kansas-Nebraska Act was enacted by Congress on May 22, 1854 and gave the decision on slavery back to the states.

• The first postal directory was published in 1855.

Franklin Pierce was

• the first President born in New Hampshire.

• the first President born in the nineteenth century.

• the only elected President that wanted to run for President again, but didn't get nominated.