Jefferson Davis, who had previously served as a U.S. Senator and Secretary of War, was chosen as the provisional president of the Confederate States of America through a telegraphic notification. The selection followed the secession of several Southern states from the Union, a move that was becoming increasingly contentious in American politics. This new government was formed in response to the looming threat of Northern domination, as many Southern leaders believed that their rights and way of life were under siege.

The provisional congress of the Confederacy convened in Montgomery, Alabama, where delegates from the seceded states gathered to deliberate on governance and leadership. Davis was seen as a unifying figure capable of rallying the Southern states in the face of external threats. His military background and political experience were viewed as assets that would benefit the fledgling nation.

Davis's acceptance of the presidency on this day set the course for the governance of the Confederacy during its early critical months, as tensions mounted into what would ultimately erupt into the American Civil War. This choice reflected not only the desires of Southern leaders but also the challenges that would confront the Confederacy in terms of military, economic, and social policy.