The day started with a thirteen gun salute before dawn.
Throngs of people had gathered in Lower Manhattan.
People were screaming and cheering from every window and roof in the area.
General George Washington was brought to the inauguration in a four-horse coach.
Chancellor Robert Livingston swore him in.
Washington kissed the Bible, and said “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, after which he spontaneously said “So help me God”, starting a tradition kept ever since.
Livingston proclaimed aloud “Long live President George Washington!”.
What a site it must have been to watch the first president of our nation being sworn in. I can visit the site, a mere two blocks from my office, but will never be able to witness the grandeur of that day.
Avi's Cogitations 