Video: 'President Zachary Taylor Inaugural Address - Hear and Read the Full Text'

(Monday, March 5, 1849, at approximately 12:45 p.m. local time) — Zachary Taylor, 64, was inaugurated as the 12th President of the United States today on the East Portico of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., with Chief Justice Roger B. Taney administering the oath of office.

Taylor succeeded President James K. Polk, 53, who honored his promise not to seek re-election in 1848.

Millard Fillmore, 49, was sworn-in as the 12th Vice President of the United States, succeeding George M. Dallas.

Constitutionally, the Taylor-Fillmore administration had begun on Mar. 4 1849, but inaugural ceremonies were delayed one day due to March 4 falling on a Sunday, the Christian sabbath.

Taylor and Fillmore, Whigs, had defeated the Democratic ticket of Lewis Cass and William O. Butler in the Nov. 7, 1848, general election.