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It was in New York City, our nation's first capital, that George
Washington became the first President of the United States. Congress had
planned for the new government to begin its responsibilities on March 4,
1789, but a harsh winter made travel difficult, and it wasn't until April
6 that enough congressmen arrived in New York to count the electors'
votes and announce, "Whereby it appears that George Washington, Esq. was
unanimously elected President, --and John Adams, Esq. was duly elected
Vice President of the United States of America...."
It
took several days for the exciting news to reach Mount Vernon, General
Washington's home in Virginia. He set off for the capital, leaving behind
his wife, Martha, who would join him later. He traveled by coach and on
horseback through Baltimore, Wilmington, and Philadelphia, finally
arriving in New York City aboard a grand barge that had been rowed from
New Jersey across Newark Bay. Meanwhile John Adams, his Vice
President-elect, and the Congress were deciding what the new Chief
Executive's official title should be. Adams preferred "His Most Benign
Highness," but a congressional committee settled on the title we still
use today: "President of the United States."
Inauguration Day, April 30, began with the sounds of ceremonial artillery
and church bells ringing across the city. At noon, General Washington
made his way through large crowds to Federal Hall, where both houses of
Congress were assembled for the swearing-in. New York Chancellor Robert
Livingston read the oath, and Washington, his right hand on a Bible,
repeated the words inscribed in the Constitution: "I do solemnly swear
that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United
States and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend
the Constitution of the United States." President Washington added the
words, "So help me God," a custom followed by every President since.
The first Inauguration gave rise to many traditions that continue today.
For example, President Washington followed his swearing-in with an
Inaugural Address, a special speech written for the occasion. In 1793,
the oath of office for Washington's second term was administered by
William Cushing, an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and the first
in a long line of Supreme Court Justices to preside over Presidential
Inaugurations.
Thomas Jefferson was the first to be sworn in as President in Washington,
D. C., the location chosen for the permanent capital and the site of all
but a handful of Inaugural ceremonies. Jefferson showed his taste for
simplicity by going on foot to the Capitol for the oath-taking and
returning to his boardinghouse afterwards for dinner. After his second
Inauguration, however, Jefferson rode on horseback from the Capitol to
the President's House (the name then used for the White House) amid music
and a spontaneous gathering of mechanics from the nearby Navy Yard -- a
procession that grew into today's Inaugural Parade.
Jefferson's second Inauguration also began the tradition of the Inaugural
Open House, when the executive mansion was opened to all who wished to
greet the President after his swearing-in. The popularity of the Open
House would later cause our seventh President, Andrew Jackson, to flee
through a window after a mob of well-wishers stormed the White House,
ruining furniture and breaking china in their eagerness to see him. In
1865, despite growing concern about safety, Abraham Lincoln shook some
6,000 hands after his second Inauguration. President Grover Cleveland,
realizing that the White House could no longer accommodate such crowds,
instead held a review of the troops from a flag-draped grandstand just
outside, adding another element to the Inaugural Parade.
Presidents have celebrated in many ways since George Washington danced
the minuet after his Inauguration in 1789. James Madison, America's
fourth President, and his wife, Dolley, were the guests of honor at the
first official Inaugural Ball, held at Long's Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Martin Van Buren's Inauguration featured two balls, and President William
Henry Harrison held three to meet the ever-growing demand for tickets.
Later Inaugurations have featured specially built pavilions for dancing,
balls held at several sites throughout the capital, and even Inaugural
parties in other cities. Modern Inaugural festivities reflect not only
the President they honor, but also the desire to include the many
Americans who want to take part in celebrating our nation's rich history
and the transfer of presidential power.
It
took several days for the exciting news to reach Mount Vernon, General
Washington's home in Virginia. He set off for the capital, leaving behind
his wife, Martha, who would join him later. He traveled by coach and on
horseback through Baltimore, Wilmington, and Philadelphia, finally
arriving in New York City aboard a grand barge that had been rowed from
New Jersey across Newark Bay. Meanwhile John Adams, his Vice
President-elect, and the Congress were deciding what the new Chief
Executive's official title should be. Adams preferred "His Most Benign
Highness," but a congressional committee settled on the title we still
use today: "President of the United States."
