George Washington took the presidential oath at Federal Hall on April 30, 1789, during his first inauguration.
The ceremony took place in New York City, then the national capital under the new Constitution. Chancellor of New York Robert Livingston administered the oath on the building’s second-floor balcony, where large crowds had gathered. Washington then delivered his first inaugural address to Congress.
The date is sometimes confused with March 4, 1789, which was the date set for the federal government to begin operating under the Constitution. Travel delays and the time needed to organize Congress prevented the Electoral College votes from being counted immediately. Congress achieved the necessary quorum in April, allowing Washington’s election to be certified.
Washington’s inauguration began the executive branch under the constitutional government. Vice President John Adams had taken office several days earlier, on April 21, 1789. Federal Hall later became associated with other early national milestones, including the drafting of the Bill of Rights.