George Washington
On this day, April 30, in 1789, standing on the balcony of Federal Hall in the nation’s new capital, New York City, George Washington took the oath of office as our first president. Humbled by the cheers of the people below (he had not sought the presidency) Washington went inside and delivered his first inaugural address to a joint session of Congress. Speaking in a deep, low voice, he said in part:
“It would be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplication to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States…”
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