I earned my graduate degree in journalism but my undergrad is in history. I've always loved studying history. I think the most interesting parts of studying the past are the "quirky" tidbits that--for the most part--fall under history's radar.

That's why I liked this following story from the Associated Press concerning Jay Nixon's inauguration. Apparently, he'll have five more minutes in office than previous governors.

Check it out...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Jay Nixon's tenure as governor started about five minutes early Monday.
A Missouri law states that "the governor and lieutenant governor shall hold their offices for a term of four years beginning at 12:00 noon on the second Monday in January." The noon hour generally has been marked by the ringing bells of St. Peter Catholic Church, just across the street from the Capitol.
The bells started ringing, even though the clock atop the church tower read 11:55, and Nixon completed the oath of office several minutes before noon.
It's not the first time a newly elected Democratic governor got a jump start on governing.
In 2001, Gov. Bob Holden, took office about 15 minutes early on a bitterly cold day. Holden, who also attended Monday's outdoor ceremony, said governors need to keep the event moving.
"You don't want people sitting out here freezing their tale off," Holden said.
Senate Pro Tem Charlie Shields, who presided over the inauguration, said it was cold and that it didn't make much sense to keep waiting amid the occasional rain drop. Shields said he began the swearing in of Nixon after being told to start by the Missouri National Guard.
Guard spokeswoman Capt. Tammy Spicer said that watches were set to the federal government's official clock.
Although many of the thousands who watched the inauguration came to see Nixon, the day's events also included the swearing in of four other statewide elected officials. That process started around 11:45 a.m. and finished within about five minutes.
With the ceremony running ahead of schedule, Shields attempted to stretch to fill the additional time and asked a band to play another song.
"I think it's a really good sign that this inauguration is ahead of schedule and under budget," joked Shields, R-St. Joseph, at the end of the ceremony

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