American President-elect Donald Trump will be inaugurated in a ceremony in the capital Washington, DC, next Monday, January 20th.
The event, which marks the passing of the baton to the new head of the White House, is a tradition in United States politics.
Trump will be inaugurated more than 230 years after the first ceremony, when George Washington was sworn in as the first president.
Trip to New York
George Washington’s inauguration took place in the first capital of the USA, New York.
George Washington lived about 400 km from the capital, in the traditional residence of Mount Vernon – a palace in the state of Virginia, on the banks of the Potomac River.
On April 23, 1789, a week before his inauguration, the then president-elect embarked, escorted by a committee of congressmen, on a trip around the east coast towards New York City.
“The vessel, with a 47-foot keel, boasted a mast and sail adorned with red curtains, an awning and 13 oars on both sides. The rowers, all New York pilots, wore identical white aprons and black caps,” reports the Mount Vernon Ladies Association of the Union (MVLA), one of the oldest historic preservation organizations in the country, which maintains ownership of Mount Vernon.
“With a wide array of decorated vessels following the presidential barge, an impromptu maritime procession was formed. Upon passing the Battery on Staten Island, 13 cannons fired their smoke salutes, directing all ships to display their flags,” adds the MVLA.
When the boat docked, George Washington was greeted by Governor George Clinton and the applause of thousands of New Yorkers. That night, there was a banquet at the governor’s mansion in honor of the then president-elect.
Solemn ceremony
On April 30, 1789, the inauguration ceremony took place at Federal Hall, a building that served as the first seat of the American Legislature.
George Washington was taken to the building in a military escort with a contingent of 500 men.
“Washington himself traveled in a state carriage with his two aides, escorted by the Senate Committee, the House Committee, the Chancellor [de Nova York] Robert Livingston, the chancellors of France and Spain and a crowd of ordinary citizens,” reports the MVLA.
The event took place outside the Senate plenary so that “the greatest number of people from the United States, without distinction, could witness the ceremony”.
In front of the people, Washington swore the oath of office to New York Chancellor Robert Livingston, while Secretary of the Senate Samuel Otis held the ceremonial Bible.
Then, the first US president returned to the Senate and established what would become a tradition: the inaugural address.
As MVLA reports, “President Washington was visibly nervous, spoke in a surprisingly low voice, and maintained a serious and modest demeanor.”
According to the White House Historical Association (WHHA), about one hundred people heard Washington speak.
“Senator William Maclay of Pennsylvania noted that President Washington, not particularly comfortable with oratory, trembled as he spoke during the twenty-minute speech,” highlights WHHA.
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After the speech, officials went to St. Paul’s Chapel for a service. Afterwards, the president, in a carriage, was “escorted to his residence”, where he had dinner alone.
“The night was marked by lighting in the city’s homes and fireworks. Boston merchant John May (1748-1812) reported that the fireworks were “well executed” and received with tumultuous applause,” notes the MVLA.
George Washington traveled by carriage accompanied by his advisors to the New York chancellor’s house to watch the fireworks, but, as records show, the crowd was so large that the authorities had to abandon the carriage and return home.
Trump inauguration
The President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, will be sworn into office on January 20, 2025.
The date was set by the 20th Amendment to the United States Constitution.
The Republican returns to the White House after beating Vice President Kamala Harris in the US elections on November 4th.
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This content was originally published in Find out what the first inauguration ceremony of a US president was like on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
