Video: 'The American Presidential Election of 1856'

(Tuesday, November 4, 1856, during the 1856 presidential campaign) — Democratic former Secretary of State James Buchanan of Pennsylvania was elected President of the United States today over Republican former Senator John C. Fremont of California.

Buchanan and his running mate, Rep. John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky, defeated Fremont and his running mate, U.S. Senator William Dayton of New Jersey, 45.3-33.1% in the national popular vote, resulting in a 174-114 victory in the Electoral College.

Former President Millard Fillmore and his running mate, former U.S. Envoy to Prussia Andrew J. Donelson, received 21.5% of the popular vote and 8 electoral votes on the American (Know-Nothing) Party ticket.

Buchanan and Breckinridge would be sworn in for their first four-year terms on March 4, 1857.