Who took the oath at the first U.S. presidential inauguration on April 30, 1789?

George Washington took the oath at the first U.S. presidential inauguration on April 30, 1789.

The ceremony took place at Federal Hall in New York City, then the nation’s capital. Washington had been elected unanimously by the Electoral College in the first U.S. presidential election under the Constitution.

New York Chancellor Robert R. Livingston administered the oath on a second-floor balcony before a large public crowd. John Adams was inaugurated as vice president, although his ceremony took place several days earlier.

Washington served two terms, from 1789 to 1797, and established important precedents for the new office. His inauguration is distinct from later inauguration traditions: presidential ceremonies were not held on January 20 until the 20th Amendment changed the schedule in the 20th century.