Who took the oath as the first president of the United States on April 30, 1789?

George Washington took the oath as the first president of the United States on April 30, 1789.

His first inauguration took place at Federal Hall in New York City, then the nation’s capital. Chancellor of New York Robert Livingston administered the presidential oath on the building’s second-floor balcony before a large public crowd.

Washington had been elected unanimously by the Electoral College in the first presidential election under the Constitution. The executive branch began operating under the new constitutional government when he assumed office, although Congress had technically begun its first session in March.

The ceremony is sometimes confused with the beginning of Washington’s formal term on March 4, 1789, the date originally designated for the new government to begin. Delays prevented the Electoral College votes from being certified in time, so Washington did not take the oath until April 30. John Adams became vice president and had already assumed his Senate duties.