Video: 'John Adams' Inaugural Address, March 4, 1797 by John Adams'

(Saturday, March 4, 1797, midday local time) — Vice President John Adams of Massachusetts was inaugurated today as the second President of the United States in the House of Representatives Chamber of Congress Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with Chief Justice Oliver Ellsworth administering the oath of office.

Adams, a Federalist, succeeded President George Washington (who did not seek a third term) after narrowly defeating former U.S. Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson of Virginia in the United States presidential election of 1796.

Jefferson received the second highest number of electoral votes and was therefore inaugurated as the second Vice President, according to the prevailing rules of electoral college voting.

Video: 'John Adams | 60-Second Presidents | PBS'