Eleanor Finch
March 4th was historically a significant date in the United States, marking the beginning of a new Congress and the presidential inauguration. From 1789 until the ratification of the Twentieth Amendment in 1933, which changed the convening time to noon on January 3rd, March 4th was among the most important dates on the congressional calendar. The date was chosen by the Confederation Congress, which operated under the Articles of Confederation, as the day it would hand off power to the new constitutional government. Notably, March 4th was also the date of President Lincoln's two inaugural addresses and President Franklin Roosevelt's address in 1933.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Original Inauguration Day | From 1789 to 1933, March 4 was the day of the inauguration of the president and vice president of the United States. |
| Constitutional Basis | The date was stipulated in the U.S. Constitution, which was adopted on September 17, 1787. |
| Amendment | The 20th Amendment, ratified on January 23, 1933, moved Inauguration Day to January 20. |
| Historical Significance | It marked the start of a new presidential term and set the tone for the administration. |
| Tradition | The day included traditional ceremonies and festivities, such as the inaugural address and parade. |
| Frequency | It occurred once every four years, at the beginning of each new presidential term. |
| Modern Day | March 4 is now a day to reflect on the Constitution and the history of American democracy. |
| Commemorative Events | Some organizations host educational programs, discussions, and events to raise awareness about the Constitution and its principles. |
| Constitutional Awareness | The day serves as a reminder of the rights and responsibilities outlined in the Constitution and the importance of an informed citizenry. |
| Civic Engagement | It encourages Americans to get involved in their communities, participate in the political process, and uphold the values enshrined in the Constitution. |
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What You'll Learn
- March 4th was the first day of business for the federal government under the US Constitution
- It was the date of presidential inaugurations until the Twentieth Amendment was ratified in 1933
- It was the last day of Congress's two-year session
- It was the date of President Lincoln's two inaugural addresses
- It was the date of the first Senate meeting in 1789
March 4th was the first day of business for the federal government under the US Constitution
On March 4, 1789, the Senate convened for the first time at New York City's Federal Hall. This marked the first day of business for the federal government under the US Constitution.
The date was chosen by the Confederation Congress, which operated under the Articles of Confederation (the first Constitution). The resolution establishing March 4 as the start date for the new federal government under the ratified Constitution was passed on September 12, 1788, once the necessary nine states had ratified the Constitution.
From 1789 until the ratification of the Twentieth Amendment in 1933, March 4 was one of the most important dates on the congressional calendar. It was the official day for presidential inaugurations and the beginning of a new Congress. The date also had significance before the Constitution, as it was the day the Confederation Congress handed off power to the new constitutional government.
March 4, 1861, was the date of Abraham Lincoln's inauguration, and seven southern states left the Union during the lame-duck session before he took office. Another notable inaugural address on March 4 was given by Franklin Roosevelt in 1933, the year the Twentieth Amendment changed the date of future inaugurations.
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It was the date of presidential inaugurations until the Twentieth Amendment was ratified in 1933
March 4th was the date of presidential inaugurations until the Twentieth Amendment was ratified in 1933. The date was chosen by the Confederation Congress, which operated under the Articles of Confederation (the first Constitution). The first modern Congress convened in New York City at Federal Hall on March 4, 1789. This was the Constitution's first official day in business.
The date of March 4th was chosen as it was the first Wednesday in March 1789. This resolution established that this date would mark the start of the new federal government under the ratified Constitution. However, the first president of the United States, George Washington, was not inaugurated until April 30, 1789, due to logistical delays.
From this point forward, inaugurations were typically held on March 4th at noon. Thomas Jefferson confirmed this precedent in a letter sent to the Senate president pro tempore James Hillhouse on March 2, 1801. The March 4th inauguration date was further codified with the ratification of the Twelfth Amendment on June 15, 1804.
The Twentieth Amendment, also known as the "lame duck" amendment, was proposed and authored by progressive Nebraska Senator George Norris in 1922. By the 20th century, improvements in travel and technology allowed for an earlier inauguration date. Norris also sought to tackle the problem of a president that lost reelection still governing during the lengthy lame-duck session without being responsible to voters. Shortening this lame-duck period was meant to strengthen democracy and avoid a future Constitutional crisis. After introducing this legislation five times, Norris was finally successful on his sixth try in March 1932. The Twentieth Amendment changed the convening time to 12 noon on January 3.
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It was the last day of Congress's two-year session
March 4th was a significant day in the history of the United States, marking the end of Congress's two-year session. The date was chosen by the Confederation Congress, which operated under the Articles of Confederation, as the day it would hand off power to the new constitutional government.
The first modern Congress convened in New York City at Federal Hall on March 4, 1789. This date was chosen by the Confederation Congress in September 1788, after the necessary nine states had ratified the Constitution. However, there were logistical issues with the first session of the new Congress, as only 22 out of 81 members showed up.
From 1789 until the ratification of the Twentieth Amendment in 1933, March 4th was a highly important date on the congressional calendar. It was the day when a newly elected president was inaugurated, and a new Congress was seated. This arrangement, however, created problems, as a defeated Congress would have to serve in a "lame-duck" session from December 1st to March 4th of the following year.
The Twentieth Amendment, also known as the "lame-duck" amendment, was proposed to address this issue. It changed the convening time to noon on January 3rd, minimizing the transition period between Election Day and Inauguration Day. The amendment was ratified in 1933, and Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first U.S. president sworn into office in January, on January 20, 1937.
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It was the date of President Lincoln's two inaugural addresses
March 4th was a significant date in the United States' political calendar, especially in the context of the US Constitution. It was the date of President Lincoln's two inaugural addresses, marking the start of his presidency in 1861.
Abraham Lincoln's election victory in 1860 was a pivotal moment in American history, and his inauguration on March 4, 1861, was highly significant. In the lead-up to Lincoln's inauguration, the lame-duck President James Buchanan presided over a divided Congress, and the country was on the brink of civil war. Lincoln's election had stoked secessionist sentiments in the South, and seven southern states left the Union before Lincoln took office. Lincoln's inaugural address on March 4, 1861, was a critical moment in his presidency, as he sought to address the issue of states' rights and national unity.
Lincoln's first inaugural address on March 4, 1861, was a pivotal moment in American history. In his speech, Lincoln appealed to the South to give up its secessionist movement and remain in the Union. He acknowledged the deep divisions within the country but emphasised the need for national unity and reconciliation. Lincoln also defended the principles of democracy and constitutional governance. He asserted that the Union was established "by our revolutionary fathers" and that it should be preserved at all costs. Lincoln's address reflected his belief in the importance of compromise and his desire to avoid civil war if possible.
Lincoln's second inaugural address on March 4, 1865, came at a very different time in his presidency. The country was in the midst of the Civil War, and Lincoln faced the daunting task of rebuilding the nation. In his second inaugural address, Lincoln struck a different tone from his first. He spoke of the need for national reconciliation and healing, acknowledging the enormous sacrifices made by both the North and the South during the war. Lincoln also emphasised the importance of justice and equality, stating, "With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right."
The date of March 4th held significance for presidential inaugurations until the ratification of the Twentieth Amendment in 1933. From 1789 until the amendment's ratification, March 4th was the date when newly elected presidents were inaugurated, marking the beginning of their terms. The Twentieth Amendment, also known as the "lame duck" amendment, addressed the challenges posed by lengthy periods between election victories and the swearing-in of new presidents. It aimed to strengthen democracy and prevent potential constitutional crises by reducing the time between Election Day and Inauguration Day.
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It was the date of the first Senate meeting in 1789
March 4th was an important date in the United States' political calendar, particularly in the years before 1933. On March 4, 1789, the US Senate convened for the first time. This was also the date that the federal government began operating under the US Constitution, as the Confederation Congress ceded power.
The date was chosen by the Confederation Congress, which operated under the Articles of Confederation, the US's first Constitution. The date was chosen as the day that the new constitutional government would take over. The first Congress convened in New York City at Federal Hall. Of its 81 members, only 22 showed up for the first session.
In the years that followed, March 4th became significant as an ending date. The Senate would customarily convene on March 4th every four years to consider nominations for new presidential administrations. The date was also significant as it was the official day for presidential inaugurations until 1933, with the ratification of the Twentieth Amendment.
March 4th also saw President Lincoln's two inaugural addresses, as well as the infamous inauguration of President Andrew Jackson in 1829, when his supporters stormed the White House.
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Frequently asked questions
Until the ratification of the 20th Amendment in 1933, March 4th was the date for the beginning of a presidential term. It was also the date that the federal government started to operate under the US Constitution.
The date was chosen by the Confederation Congress, which operated under the Articles of Confederation (the first Constitution).
The first Wednesday in March 1789 happened to be March 4th. The Senate convened for the first time at New York City's Federal Hall. However, there weren't enough members present to conduct official business.
The 20th Amendment, also known as the "lame duck" amendment, changed the date of presidential inaugurations to January 20 at noon. This shortened the "lame duck" period, strengthening democracy and avoiding a future Constitutional crisis.
