(Wednesday, March 4, 1857, at about 1:30 p.m. local time) — Former Secretary of State James Buchanan of Pennsylvania was inaugurated today as the 15th President of the United States on the East Portico of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., with Chief Justice Roger Taney administering the oath of office.

Buchanan, a Democrat, succeeded Democratic President Franklin Pierce (who was denied re-nomination by the Democratic Party) after defeating former Republican Senator John C. Frémont of California in the United States presidential election of 1856.

Former Rep. John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky was inaugurated as the 14th Vice President of the United States (at age 36, the youngest vice-president in U.S. history) having defeated former Republican U.S. Senator William L. Dayton of New Jersey (the office had been vacant since the death of William R. King in April 1853).

This was the first inauguration ceremony known to be photographed.

Video: ‘James Buchanan | 60-Second Presidents | PBS’