George Washington Inauguration Timeline

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  • At sunrise

    Military salute near Fort George
  • Washington's suit

    Washington wore a brown broadcloth buttoned suit paired with silver buckled shoes and a dress sword that's in a steel scabbard.
  • 9:00 am

    Church bells rang across part of New York City
  • Who Was There?

    Besides the hundreds of citizens, the ceremony of Federal Hall were both houses of Congress, American officials, and New York state notables, and diplomats from France and Spain.
  • 12:30 pm

    Washington is escorted to the Federal Hall by the military. He was escorted by the Senate and House Committee, Chancellor Robert Livingston, and the French and Spanish ministers.
  • 1:00 pm

    Washington arrives at the Senate Chamber with his military units and heads towards the two houses of Congress.
  • 2:00 pm

    Washington heads outside on the balcony in front of the Senate Chamber where Chancellor of New York, Robert Livingston, directed the oath. Washington took the oath with his hand on the Bible.
  • Mid-Afternoon

    The inaugural party took place in St. Paul's Chapel in New York. An early Christian hymn of praise, Te Deu, was sung by the attendees.
  • Dinner Alone at the Presidential Mansion

    President Washington was escorted in a carriage, after the church service, to his residence at Franklin House where he had dined alone.
  • Evening

    President Washington and his aides David Humphreys and Tobias Lear, watched the show of fireworks from the homes of Chancellor Livingston and General Henry Knox.
  • 10:00 pm

    Washington had gotten in his carriage to go home but then had to walk instead due to there being too many people.
  • Washington's First Inaugural Address

    After taking oath, Washington went inside the Senate Chamber to deliver his First Inaugural Address. According to the members of Congress, Washington seemed nervous and spoke in a quiet voice.