Founding1789
George Washington Inaugurated as First President
George Washington took the oath of office on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City, becoming the first President of the United States. His inauguration established traditions and precedents that have guided every subsequent transfer of presidential power.
Why It Matters
Washington's inauguration transformed the Constitution from a document into a living government, and his conduct in office set standards of democratic leadership that continue to define the presidency.