A Brief History of the Presidential Inauguration

New York City, the nation’s first capital, was the site of the first Presidential Inauguration on April 30, 1789. The Inauguration was supposed to take place the previous month, but due to harsh winter conditions the newly formed Congress could not meet. The Congress was to convene March 4, 1789 to begin their legislative duties, to include confirming the President of the United States. The winter that season was especially nasty, and many of the Congressional Delegates could not make the journey to New York. After the Congress convened, George Washington was proclaimed the new President of the United States.

George Washington upon hearing the news left his home in Virginia and headed to New York. George Washington’s Vice President John Adams and the Congress were working on the new Chief Executive’s title. Adams thought the Chief Executive should be referred to as "His Most Benign Highness", but the Congressional Committee decided against him and went with the name still in use today "President of the United States".

The Inauguration began with cannon blasts and church bells tolling across the city. New York Chancellor Robert Livingston read the oath to Washington. Washington placed his right hand on the Bible, and repeated the words from the Constitution, "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States." Washington also added the phrase "So help me God", every President since has stated the phrase.

Washington also paved the way for many traditions that we still have today. For example, after he was sworn in Washington gave an Inaugural Address, a speech still given by today’s Presidents.

Thomas Jefferson was the first to receive the oath of office in Washington D.C. the permanent capital of the United States. The Inaugural Parade was a tradition that has roots in the Navy Yard. As Jefferson rode back to the White House people began partying in celebration with music from every direction. Jefferson’s second Inauguration also marked the beginning of another tradition—the open house tour of the White House. Anybody that desired to wish the newly Inaugurated President best of luck could. This tradition lasted until President Cleveland, who realized that the crowds had grown too large to accommodate.

The Inaugurations that took place during the early 1800’s often became the craziest party in town. Partygoers consumed a great deal of alcohol, and people even passed out on the White House front lawn.

Technology has had a great impact with the way Americans discover the message of the President. Washington’s Inauguration was heard only by those Congressmen that were present in the New York Hall. James Madison’s Inaugural Address was published in newspapers across the land. James Polk was the first President to have his speech sent over telegraph for Americans through out the country. James Buchanan was the first President to have his Inauguration photographed. Americans not able to attend the Inauguration were now able to share the celebration with the historical photographs. President William McKinley was first to filmed by movie cameras, and gave Americans a glimpse of what was to come. 

In 1925, Americans throughout the nation listened to their President’s Inaugural Address for the first time over the radio. The first televised Inauguration was President Harry Truman in 1949. President Clinton expanded the Presidential reach in 1996 with his use of the Internet. His speech was the first to be web cast over the World Wide Web to the entire globe, thus securing his Inaugural claim to fame!