Why Is 49 Pc in Bingo?

The answer to this mystery lies in the history of the 49th state. When Tennessee was admitted to the Union as the 49th state on July 1, 1796, it was only because of a quirk of the Electoral College. Because there were only 44 states at the time, Tennessee’s admission caused a deadlock in the presidential election of that year. The House of Representatives was then called upon to decide which candidate should be elected – George Washington or John Adams.

Because Adams had won more electoral votes, but Washington had more individual votes (since each elector could cast two votes), Adams was declared the winner by one vote. Had Tennessee not been admitted as a state, Washington would have become America’s first president.

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