Simone Lawson
The first inauguration under the US Constitution took place on April 30, 1789, when George Washington took the oath of office on a balcony of Federal Hall in New York City, which was then the temporary capital of the US. The ceremony was postponed from March 4, 1789, due to logistical delays, as congressional members were late in arriving in New York City. Since 1981, presidents have typically taken the oath on the West Front of the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., where the peaceful transfer of power is demonstrated.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 30 April 1789 |
| President | George Washington |
| Location | Federal Hall, New York City |
| Oath | "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) 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." |
| Additional words | "So help me God" |
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What You'll Learn
George Washington's first inauguration
The first inauguration under the Constitution took place on April 30, 1789, and was that of George Washington. The ceremony was held on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City, which was then the temporary capital of the United States. Washington took the oath of office, swearing to "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".
According to Washington Irving's biography of George Washington, after reciting the oath, Washington added the words "so help me God". This was the first time a president had assumed office, and Washington established the tradition of a two-term limit, which was later institutionalised by Thomas Jefferson.
The first inauguration was originally scheduled for March 4, 1789, which was the date that the federal government began operations under the US Constitution. However, logistical delays meant that the ceremony had to be postponed. Congressional members were delayed in arriving in New York City, and both the House of Representatives and the Senate failed to reach a quorum, the minimum number of members required to conduct official business. The first few months of 1789 were particularly cold and snowy, which slowed down the travel of many members of Congress.
Since Washington's first inauguration, the ceremony has been held at various locations. From Andrew Jackson's inauguration in 1829 to Jimmy Carter's in 1977, the ceremony usually took place outdoors in front of the East Portico of the Capitol. Since Ronald Reagan's inauguration in 1981, the ceremony has been held at the west front of the US Capitol, facing the National Mall.
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The location of the inaugural oath
In 1801, the ceremony moved to Washington, D.C., the nation's permanent capital. Thomas Jefferson took the oath of office in the US Capitol, in what was then the Senate Chamber. From Andrew Jackson's inauguration in 1829 to Jimmy Carter's in 1977, the ceremony usually took place outdoors in front of the East Portico of the Capitol.
Since 1981, presidents have typically taken the Oath on the West Front of the United States Capitol Building. This public ritual demonstrates America's commitment to democracy and signifies a peaceful transfer of power to citizens and people around the world. The ceremony has been held facing the National Mall with its iconic Washington Monument and distant Lincoln Memorial.
The 20th Amendment to the Constitution specifies that the term of each elected President of the United States begins at noon on January 20 of the year following the election. Each president must take the oath of office before assuming the duties of the position. Inauguration Day occurs every four years on January 20 (or January 21 if January 20 falls on a Sunday).
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The oath of office
The first inauguration under the Constitution took place on April 30, 1789, when George Washington took the oath of office on a balcony of Federal Hall in New York City, which was then the temporary capital of the United States.
> "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God."
At noon, the new presidential and vice-presidential terms begin, and the president recites the constitutionally mandated oath of office:
> "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) 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."
According to Washington Irving's biography of George Washington, after reciting the oath at his (and the nation's) first inauguration, Washington added the words "so help me God".
Although the Constitution includes the inaugural oath, it does not dictate where that oath should take place. The inaugural oath has been taken in many different places over the years, and on different dates. In the early 21st century, inaugurations usually take place on the west front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. However, there have been many other inauguration sites in the nation's history.
Since 1981, presidents have typically taken the Oath on the West Front of the United States Capitol Building. This public ritual demonstrates America's commitment to democracy and signifies a peaceful transfer of power to citizens and people around the world.
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The swearing-in ceremony
> I do solemnly swear (or affirm) 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.
Since 1981, the ceremony has been held at the west front of the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., facing the National Mall. Prior to this, from 1829 to 1977, most swearing-in ceremonies took place on a platform over the steps at the Capitol's east portico. They have also been held inside the Old Senate Chamber, the chamber of the House of Representatives, and the Capitol rotunda.
The first inauguration, that of George Washington, took place on April 30, 1789, on a balcony of Federal Hall in New York City, which was then the temporary capital of the United States. All subsequent inaugurations from 1793 until 1933 were held on March 4, the day of the year on which the federal government began operations under the U.S. Constitution in 1789. The exception was when March 4 fell on a Sunday, in which case the public inauguration ceremony would take place on Monday, March 5. Since 1937, it has taken place at noon on January 20, the first day of the new term, except when January 20 fell on a Sunday, in which case the public ceremony was delayed until the following day.
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The inaugural address
The first inauguration under the Constitution took place on April 30, 1789, when George Washington took the oath of office on a balcony of Federal Hall in New York City, which was then the temporary capital of the United States. Washington added the words "so help me God" to the end of his oath.
The first inaugural address was delivered by George Washington on April 30, 1789, in the Federal Hall Senate Chamber in New York City. In his address, Washington emphasised the importance of unity and the need for a strong federal government. He also acknowledged the challenges facing the young nation and expressed his hope for a peaceful and prosperous future.
Over the years, inaugural addresses have been used by presidents to introduce their agenda and outline their plans for addressing the issues facing the country. They are also an opportunity for presidents to inspire and unite the nation, and to call on citizens to work together for the common good.
In recent times, inaugural addresses have been closely analysed and scrutinised by the media and the public. They are seen as a key indicator of the president's priorities and can shape the political landscape for the coming years. As such, they are carefully crafted and delivered with great attention to detail.
Inaugural addresses are also an opportunity for presidents to pay tribute to their predecessors and to acknowledge the history and traditions of the nation. They often include references to the country's founding principles and values, and express gratitude to those who have served and sacrificed for the nation.
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Frequently asked questions
The first inauguration under the constitution took place on a balcony of Federal Hall in New York City, which was then the temporary capital of the U.S.
The first inauguration under the constitution took place on April 30, 1789.
George Washington was inaugurated during the first inauguration under the constitution.
The Constitution was written by the Founding Fathers, a group of 55 delegates who represented the 13 colonies and future states at the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.
The oath of office is a constitutionally mandated oath that the president recites during the inauguration ceremony. The oath is: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) 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."
