Inauguration Day Schedule

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Sunrise – Sunrise salute fired from Fort George

 

9:00-9:30 a.m. Bells toll throughout New York City 

 

12:30 p.m.  General George Washington escorted

by a military procession from the Franklin House

to Federal Hall.

 

1:00 p.m. Procession arrived at Federal Hall.

 

2:00 p.m. Vice President elect John Adams greets Washington and informs him that both houses of Congress were ready for him to take his oath.

 

Robert Livingston, Chancellor of New York administered the oath on the gallery balcony outside the Senate Chamber. This was done so that the thousands of citizens who had gathered outside could witness the event.  

 

George Washington took the oath with his hand on the Bible. Afterwards he kissed the Bible and Livingston turned to the crowd and shouted, “Long live George Washington, President of the United States!”

 

As the crowd cheered, Washington bowed and then retired to the senate chamber where he delivered his inaugural address.

 

Highlights from Washington’s inaugural address.

 

“It would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official Act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the Universe, who presides in the Councils of Nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that his benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the People of the United States, a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes: and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success, the functions allotted to his charge.”

 

“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. Every step, by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency.”