24TH INAUGURAL CEREMONIES
PRESIDENT
JAMES A.
GARFIELD
March 4, 1881
VICE PRESIDENT
CHESTER A.
ARTHUR
March 4, 1881
ABOUT THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONIES
James A. Garfield was sworn-in as the 20th President of the United States. Chester A. Arthur was sworn-in as the 20th Vice President of the United States on the previous day, March 3, 1881.
Location:
East Portico, U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C.
Weather:
Snow all night until about 10 a.m. The afternoon was sunny and windy. Estimated noon temperature of 57°F.
Bible Used:
Bible provided by James H. McKenney, Clerk of the Supreme Court, open to Proverbs 21:1.
FACTS, FIRSTS, & PRECEDENTS
First president to review the Inaugural Parade from a stand built in front of the White House.
VICE PRESIDENTIAL OATH OF OFFICE
Administered to Chester A. Arthur
by outgoing Vice President William A. Wheeler
in the Senate Chamber on March 3, 1881
VICE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
Delivered by Vice President upon swearing-in on March 3, 1881
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
“The supreme trial of the Constitution came at last under the tremendous pressure of civil war. We ourselves are witnesses that the Union emerged from the blood and fire of that conflict purified and made stronger for all the beneficent purposes of good government.”
President James A. Garfield
PRESIDENTIAL OATH OF OFFICE
Administered to James A. Garfield
by the Honorable Morrison R. Waite,
Chief Justice of the United States