Inaugural Procession of President Polk

The 11th President of the United States; James K. Polk was inaugurated on March 4, 1845. This image depicts the procession of President Polk near the Capitol Building with several women wearing the fashionable polka dot. According to the book Why do you call them polka dots, the term has connections to the Polka dance craze that swept Europe through the 1830's. The Polka gained popularity in the United States during the 1840's around the time James K. Polk was running for President. An immediate connection was made between the popular dance and Polk's last name. Drawing on the connection, merchants, designers, and manufacturers created and marketed Polka related products.