On this day in 1789, George Washington delivered the first Presidential Inaugural Address.
George Washington’s first inauguration took place at Federal Hall in New York City, where the first Congress was assembled. Keenly aware of the momentousness of the occasion, Washington accepted the Presidency and spoke of his determination to make the American experiment a success. All eight pages of the speech delivered to Congress are in George Washington’s own clear and distinctive handwriting.
Here are images of the opening of George Washington’s first inaugural address, April 30, 1789; and a portrait of President Washington hanging in the Oval Office of the White House, 11/5/1946. ID #199469
