Global Courant 2023-04-30 09:02:22
President George Washington was inaugurated as the first president of the United States on this day in history, April 30, 1789.
In his speech, delivered at Federal Hall in New York City, Washington expressed concern about the prospect of leading a new nation.
At the time, New York City’s Federal Hall served as the U.S. Capitol, according to the National Archives.
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Washington was officially notified of his election as president on April 14, according to the National Archives website.
In his inaugural address, Washington noted that “no event of life could have filled me with greater distress than that whose notice was sent at your command and received on the 14th day of the present month.”
An illustration of President George Washington giving his inaugural address in New York City. (Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images)
Robert Livingston, who was the chancellor of New York State, took the oath of office, the National Archives website says.
“After repeating this oath, Washington kissed the Bible held before him by the Chancellor, which cried, ‘Long live George Washington, President of the United States,’ and a volley of 13 guns was fired,” it added.
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The very first presidential inauguration bore little resemblance to contemporary affairs.
Besides being held in New York City, it was the only scheduled inauguration to take place in April.
The other three presidents inaugurated in April — John Tyler, Andrew Johnson and Harry S. Truman — were inaugurated after the deaths of their predecessors, notes the website History In Pieces.
According to the Library of Congress website, there was only one inaugural ball for President Washington. It happened on May 7, a week after the inauguration.
An illustration of President George Washington (far left) and his cabinet. (Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)
However, there were fireworks that day to mark the occasion, paid for by individuals, the website added.
Further, Washington’s wife, Martha, did not make the trip to New York City.
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Before the inauguration, Washington embarked on a mini-tour of the country he would lead.
On April 16, he left his home in Virginia and began traveling to New York City.
“President Washington has significantly influenced the course of the presidency.”
“Accompanied by Charles Thompson, his official escort, and Colonel David Humphreys, his assistant, he traveled through Alexandria, Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Trenton, Princeton, New Brunswick, and Bridgetown (now Rahway, New Jersey),” according to the National Archives. .
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Upon arrival at each site, “the artillery gave a salute and the citizens and officials (Washington) presented tokens of affection and honor so that his journey became a triumphal procession,” according to the National Archives.
A painting of then-General George Washington’s triumphal entry into New York after the British left the city on November 25, 1783. Washington would make another grand entrance into the city six years later for his inauguration as president. (MPI/Getty Images)
Washington and his companions arrived in New York City on April 23, on a “beautiful ship specially built for the occasion,” the site added.
George Washington helped shape the agency’s future role and powers, as well as setting “both formal and informal precedents for future presidents,” notes Mountvernon.org.
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Washington felt it was necessary to “strike a delicate balance” between making the presidency “powerful enough to function effectively in a national government” – while avoiding “any image of establishing a monarchy or dictatorship”, notes the site.
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“During the process, President Washington made a significant impact on the presidency path, setting standards in all aspects, including political power, military practice and economic policy,” it added.
Christine Rousselle is a lifestyle reporter at Fox News Digital.
