(Saturday, April 15, 1865, 10:00 a.m.; during the American Civil War) — Vice President Andrew Johnson, 56, was sworn in as the 17th President of the United States this morning, following the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.

The Oath of Office was administered by Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase in Johnson’s room at the Kirkwood House.

After the ceremony, President Johnson gave an impromptu inaugural address, which began with him begging the cabinet to remain with him and then attacking the Confederacy with such venom, that one witness remarked “It would have been better had he been struck dumb.”