(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. Continue reading Buchanan inaugurated as 15th U.S. President, Breckinridge as 14th VP 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 4 1857)
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. Continue reading Adams inaugurated as second U.S. President, Jefferson as second VP 220 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 4 1797)
(Sunday, March 4, 1917, 12:04 p.m. EST) — U.S. President Woodrow Wilson was inaugurated for a second term today with the administration of the oath by Chief Justice Edward D. White in Wilson’s official room in the Capitol, just back of the Senate Chamber.
As March 4 fell on a Sunday, the formal public inauguration ceremonies were delayed until the following day (March 5, 1917).
(Saturday, March 4, 1837, midday local time) — Vice President Martin Van Buren of Virginia was inaugurated today as the eighth 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. Continue reading Van Buren inaugurated as eighth U.S. President, Johnson as ninth VP 180 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 4 1837)
(Tuesday, March 4, 1817, midday local time) — Secretary of State James Monroe of Virginia was inaugurated today as the fifth President of the United States in front of the Old Brick Capitol (where the Supreme Court building now stands) with Chief Justice John Marshall administering the oath of office. Continue reading Monroe inaugurated as fifth U.S. President, Tompkins as sixth VP 200 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 4 1817)
(Saturday, March 3, 1877, 7:05 p.m. local time) — Because outgoing President Ulysses S. Grant feared an insurrection by supporters of Samuel J. Tilden following the Compromise of 1877 and with the traditional inauguration day of March 4 on a Sunday, President-elect Rutherford B. Hayes took the oath of office as the 19th President of the United States tonight in a secret ceremony in the Red Room of the White House.
Grant was still technically President through Sunday, March 4, at noon, and remained in the White House until Hayes was formally inaugurated on Monday, March 5.
Video: 'Why Puerto Ricans are U.S. Citizen'
(Friday, March 2, 1917) — Puerto Ricans were granted U.S. citizenship today as President Woodrow Wilson signed the Jones-Shafroth Act. Continue reading Puerto Ricans granted U.S. citizenship 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 2 1917)
(Friday, March 2, 1877, 4:10 a.m. local time) — Just three days before his public inauguration, Republican presidential candidate Rutherford B. Hayes was declared the winner of the 1876 presidential election today, defeating the Democrat Samuel J. Tilden in one of the most disputed elections in American history. Continue reading Hayes declared winner in disputed 1876 presidential election this hour 140 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 2 1877)
Video: 'Nebraska 150 Sesquicentennial'
(Friday, March 1, 1867) — Nebraska, which lies in both the Great Plains and the Midwestern United States, became the 37th state today as President Andrew Johnson reluctantly signed a proclamation. Continue reading Nebraska becomes 37th state 150 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 1 1867)
(Friday, February 27, 1987, afternoon EST) — President Ronald Reagan moved dramatically today to revive his troubled presidency by replacing Donald T. Regan with former Senator Howard H. Baker Jr. as the White House chief of staff (click here to watch Baker’s news conference).
Reagan announced the change a day after a special presidential review commission harshly criticized his detached style of management and blamed Regan for “chaos” in the White House after disclosures of the secret Iran policy.
