| First Presidential Inauguration of George Washington | |
|---|---|
| Participants | President of the United States, George Washington |
| Location | Federal Hall, New York City |
| Date | April 30, 1789 |
The first inauguration of George Washington as the first President of the United States took place on April 30, 1789.
The inauguration marked the commencement of the first four-year term of George Washington as President and John Adams as Vice President. Sworn in by Chancellor of New York Robert Livingston during this first presidential inauguration, Washington became the first President of the United States following the ratification of the Constitution.
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It was 1 p.m. at Mount Vernon on April 14, 1789, when Washington received official notification that he had been unanimously selected by the Electoral College to be the nation's first president. The letter had been sent by Senator John Langdon of New Hampshire, the first President pro tempore of the United States Senate. Washington replied immediately, and set off in the morning two days later,[1] accompanied by David Humphreys and a Mr. Thomson.[2]
On his way to New York City Washington passed through Alexandria, Georgetown, present-day Washington D.C., and Baltimore, arriving to an elaborate welcome at Gray's Ferry in Philadelphia just after noon on April 20. He left early the next morning for another welcome awaiting him in Trenton. On April 23 he took a small barge with 13 pilots through the Kill Van Kull tidal strait into the Upper New York Bay, and from there the city. A variety of boats surrounded him during the voyage, and Washington's approach was greeted by a series of cannon fire, first a thirteen gun salute by the Spanish warship Galveston, then by the North Carolina, and finally by other artillery.[2] Thousands had gathered on the waterfront to see him arrive.[3]
Washington landed at Murray's Wharf (at the foot of Wall Street), where he was greeted by New York Governor George Clinton as well as other Congressmen and citizens.[2] A plaque now marks the landing site.[4] They proceeded through the streets to what would be Washington's new official residence, 3 Cherry Street.[3]
The inaugural ceremony took place on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City,[5] then the first US Capitol and the first site where the 1st United States Congress met.
Since nearly first light a crowd of people had begun to gather around Washington's home, and at noon they made their way to Federal Hall by way of Queen Street and Great Dock (both now Pearl Street) and Broad Street.[2] Washington dressed in an American made dark brown suit with white silk stockings and silver shoe buckles; he also wore a steel-hilted sword.[6]
Upon his arrival at Federal Hall, Washington was formally introduced to the House and Senate in the then Senate chamber, after which already sworn-in Vice President John Adams announced it time for the inauguration. Washington moved to the second-floor balcony where he took the presidential oath of office, administered by Chancellor of New York Robert Livingston in view of throngs of people gathered on the streets.[7] The Bible used in the ceremony was from St. John's Masonic Lodge No.1, and in haste it was randomly opened to Genesis 49:13.[6] Livingston shouted "Long live George Washington, President of the United States!" to the crowd, which was replied to with cheers and cannon fire. The first inaugural address was subsequently delivered by Washington in the Senate chamber,[2] running 1419 words in length.[6]
At this time there were no inaugural balls for the day of the ceremony, though a week later on May 7 a ball was held in New York to honor the first president.[8]