Video: 'Change of Address, Episode 9: Monroe's Second Inaugural'

(Monday, March 5, 1821, approximately noon local time) — James Monroe, 62, was inaugurated today for a second term as the fifth president of the United States in the newly refurbished House chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., with Chief Justice John Marshall administering the oath of office.

Daniel D. Tompkins, 46, was also inaugurated for a second term as the sixth vice president of the United States. He did not, however, attend this occasion and instead took the oath of office in New York.

The terms of office for Monroe and Tompkins actually began the day before, but because March 4, 1821, fell on a Sunday, Monroe moved the inaugural ceremonies to the following day after talking with justices of the Supreme Court.

Taking place at the height of the Era of Good Feelings, Monroe, a member of the Democratic-Republican Party, had won re-election in 1820 without a major opponent.

The Federalist Party, which had fielded a presidential candidate in each election since 1796, could not put forward a presidential candidate in 1820, leaving Monroe without organized opposition. Nine different Federalists received electoral votes for vice president, but Tompkins won re-election by a large margin.