For America250, who was the first person inaugurated as U.S. president under the Constitution?

George Washington was the first person inaugurated as president of the United States under the Constitution.

Washington took the oath of office on April 30, 1789, at Federal Hall in New York City. Chancellor Robert Livingston administered the oath before a crowd, after which Washington delivered an inaugural address to Congress.

The Constitution created the presidency, but it did not specify a public inauguration ceremony in the detail later associated with the event. Washington’s ceremony established traditions that subsequent presidents adapted.

John Adams was the first vice president and later became the second president. Washington’s first inauguration is therefore distinct from the later inauguration of Adams, Jefferson, or Madison, all of whom followed him in office.