When was George Washington’s first inauguration as president of the United States held?

George Washington’s first inauguration as president of the United States was held on April 30, 1789.

The ceremony took place on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City, which was then the national capital. Robert Livingston, chancellor of New York, administered the presidential oath because the federal judiciary had not yet been organized. Washington then delivered his first inaugural address to Congress.

The new government had technically been scheduled to begin on March 4, 1789, but travel delays prevented Congress from reaching a quorum. The House achieved a quorum on April 1, and the Senate did so on April 6. Congress then counted the electoral votes and formally confirmed Washington and John Adams as president and vice president.

Washington was the only U.S. president elected unanimously by the Electoral College in both 1788–1789 and 1792. His first inauguration began the executive branch under the Constitution’s new federal system.