George Washington took the oath of office as the first president of the United States. He delivered his first inaugural address to a joint session of Congress, assembled in Federal Hall in the nation's new capital, New York City.
Inaugurated, Apr 30, 1789
Celebration, May 7, 1789
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Martha Washington was still at Mt. Vernon and was not able to attend. The new President arrived at the Assembly Rooms at 115 Broadway in the company of other American statesmen and their wives. John and Abigail Adams, members of Congress and visiting French and Spanish dignitaries, as well their wives and daughters, joined in the festivities. That evening he danced “two cotillions and a minuet,” with many of New York’s society ladies. Eliza Hamilton, wife of Alexander Hamilton, recorded her impressions of the ball in her memoirs, noting that the president liked to dance the minuet, a dance she thought was suited to his dignity and gravity. Guests were dressed with “consummate taste and elegance” and women were given ivory fans from Paris, according to one contemporary. These fans had Washington’s profile printed on their paper coverings. When Martha arrived in New York ten days later, she was greeted with grand fanfare by New York Society, and yet another ball was held in her honor.
Factoids
Apr 30, 1789- Major-General Jacob Morton was the marshal for the First inauguration of George Washington. When it was found that no bible was available, Morton retrieved the Lodge Bible from St. John's Lodge where he was the Worshipful Master.
St. Paul's Chapel and Churchyard (Trinity)- On April 30, 1789, after Washington took the oath of office to become the first President of the United States, he made his way from Federal Hall on Wall Street to St. Paul’s Chapel, where he attended services.