Inauguration of John Adams
 John Adams | |
| Date | March 4, 1797 |
|---|---|
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Congress Hall |
| Participants | John Adams |
The inauguration of John Adams as the second President of the United States took place on Saturday, March 4, 1797. The inauguration marked the commencement of the four-year term of John Adams as President and Thomas Jefferson as Vice President. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Oliver Ellsworth swore him in. The oath of office was administered in the House of Representatives Chamber of Congress Hall in Philadelphia. This was the first inaugural oath administered by a Chief Justice of the United States.[1]
Inaugural ceremonies
 | This article's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. |
On the day of inauguration at the House of Representatives chamber,[2] in Philadelphia, the weather was at a fair temperature of 53 degrees. The room was at maximum capacity and there was not an empty seat. The engagement was full of [Members of the United States House of Representatives], United States Senators, Justices of the Supreme Court, United States Cabinet members, and a wide range of fellow citizens [3] who were eagerly awaiting for the ceremony to begin.
At the inauguration, former President George Washington [4] and Vice President Thomas Jefferson,[5] who had just previously been inaugurated that morning, were present. First George Washington enters, with an overall applause. Next, Thomas Jefferson enters as the crowd applaud even louder; and last but not least, John Adams himself. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were dressed in a more professional manner than John Adams.[6] Washington wore a black velvet dress suit, and Jefferson wore a long blue frock coat. Adams wore a simple suit of grey broadcloth, without fancy buttons or knee buckles.
Adams revealed to his wife Abigail, who was also amongst the crowd, that it felt as if he were on stage playing a part in a play. He said it was "the most affecting and overpowering scene I ever acted in." At that moment, was the only time all three men had ever appeared, on a stage, at a public event together. He expressed his gratitude of a free republican government.[7] He spoke of his respect for the rights of all states, and of his belief in expanded education for all the people, both to enlarge the happiness of life and as essential to the preservation of freedom. He concluded his speech with suggesting that each president on out blesses the nation with his consistent duration of his providence. He repeated the oath from Chief Justice Oliver Ellsworth [8] to be sworn in.
References
- ^ "Inauguration of President John Adams, 1797". Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
- ^ "This was once the home of the United States Congress". Independence Hall Association. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
- ^ http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/8/1401.html
- ^ http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/georgewashington
- ^ http://www.monticello.org/site/jefferson/biography
- ^ http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/johnadams
- ^ http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/v1ch4I.html
- ^ http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/185175/Oliver-Ellsworth
Sources
- Papers of John Adams by: Adams, John, 1735–1826, Taylor, Robert Joseph
- A Picture Book of John and Abigail Adams by: Adler, David A, Adler, Michael S, Almler, Ronald III
External links
- "Swearing-In Ceremony for President John Adams Third Inaugural Ceremonies, March 4, 1797". Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
- "John Adams Inauguration, March 4, 1797". Library of Congress. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
- "John Adams Inaugural Address In the City of Philadelphia". Bartleby. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
- "Inaugural Address of John Adams". Lillian Goldman Law Library. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
- "1797 Inaugural Speech John Adams". Junto Society. Retrieved 19 July 2011.