The Vice Presidents That America Forgot

The role of Vice President of the United States is one of the most unusual in American politics. Despite being just a heartbeat away from the presidency, vice presidents often fade into obscurity, their names and contributions largely forgotten. What’s even more surprising is how often the vice presidency has been left vacant. In the 19th century, when a vice president died in office, there was no system in place to appoint a replacement. As a result, the position was left empty for long stretches of time—sometimes for years. During these periods, the nation operated without a vice president. The history of the vice presidency is a reminder of how even crucial political roles can evolve and how their significance can change over time.