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The First Inauguration: George Washington’s inauguration on April 30, 1789 in New York City started with a gun salute at Fort George followed by 30 minutes of bells ringing at churches throughout the city. Riding in a procession to Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office at 2 p.m.
When the master of ceremonies, New York Chancellor Robert Livingston, declared Washington “the President of the United States,” thirteen cannons fired. Washington bowed. The people shouted. Washington returned to the hall, gave his inaugural address to Congress, attended a worship service in the afternoon and watched fireworks that evening. Because the city was so crowded that night, his carriage couldn’t get through the streets. Washington got out and walked back to his residence.
Who was the First President to Decline His Salary?—George Washington, 1789
During his inaugural address on April 30, 1789, George Washington told Congress and the American people that he was declining his salary. Only Washington, JFK, and Trump have set aside part or all of their salaries.
What Was George Washington’s First Act as President?
Like Trump, Washington had several close calls with death. He was the only officer who wasn’t injured or killed in a 1755 battle.
Washington wrote his brother: “I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot yet escaped unhurt” by the “all powerful dispensations of Providence.”
Never forgetting this and other close calls, at his inauguration Washington told the American people that his first act as president was to offer supplications to God for his continued providence for America: “No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand, which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States.” Most presidents have referenced faith in God in their inaugural addresses.
Grover Cleveland and Donald Trump
Like Trump, Cleveland was a larger-than-life personality who opposed corruption and hailed from New York. Both Trump and Cleveland are the only two presidents who won the office once again after losing as the incumbent.
The First Inauguration Coinciding with Breaking News—Ronald Reagan, 1980
Iran released American hostages during Ronald Reagan’s first inauguration ceremony on January 20, 1981. The limo ride between Reagan and Carter on the way to the ceremony was tense because Carter was on the phone awaiting word that the hostages were freed.
Originally from Slovenia, Melania Trump became a U.S. citizen in 2006.
The First Foreign Born First Lady—Louisa Adams, 1825
When her husband John Quincy Adams became president 200 years ago in 1825, his wife Louisa became the first, first lady born abroad. Louisa was born in London, England in 1775 to a British mother and an American father. Like Melania Trump, who speaks several languages, Louisa was proficient in French and English with touches of German and Russian.
The First Inauguration Broadcast on Radio—Calvin Coolidge, 1925
Calvin Coolidge's 1925 inauguration was the first to be broadcast by radio.
The First Televised Inauguration—Harry Truman, 1949
President Harry S. Truman's 1949 inauguration was the first televised ceremony.
The First Cable News Broadcast of an Inauguration—Ronald Reagan, 1981
CNN was the first cable news outlet to broadcast the Inauguration of Reagan.
First Inaugural Parade Including African Americans—Abraham Lincoln, 1865
African Americans participated for the first time in Lincoln’s inaugural parade in 1865. This move was highly symbolic of Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation.
The First President to Walk in the Inaugural Parade—Jimmy Carter, 1977
President Jimmy Carter, in 1977, was the first president to walk the parade route. He walked with his wife Rosalynn and daughter Amy.
