Presidential Inauguration
Tuesday the 4th inst. being the day fixed for the installation of president and vice-president of the United States, to serve for the ensuing term of four years, there ceremony took place on the Capitol Hill, in the presence of a great concourse of citizens and strangers, amongst whom were some of the most distinguished characters of the Union. His Excellency James Madison, late chief magistrate, was present on the occasion. The oath was administered to his excellency James Monroe, by chief justice Marshall, at the temporary portico in front of the hall; the vice-president, his excellency Daniel D. Tompkins, having been previously sworn, in the Senate Chamber of the United States. The speeches of both, on this occasion, follow at full length.
The marine corps, and many of the volunteers of the District, paraded on the spot; salutes of artillery were fired on the hill, at the Navy Yard, and at Fort Warburton. A number of persons in carriages and on horseback, attended the president from his house to the capitol, and, after the ceremonies, paid their respects to him on entering office, as well as to Mr. Madison on his retiring from office.
This general holyday was concluded by a brilliant ball at Davis' Hotel, in honor of the inauguration, at which it is supposed near one thousand persons attended, amongst whom were their excellencies Monroe, Tompkins, and Madison, the heads of departments, foreign ministers, &c. Mrs. Monroe, Mrs. Madison, and many other ladies of distinction, graced the assembly with their presence.
The 1949 Inauguration of President Harry S. Truman was the first to be broadcast live on television. This footage from the US Air Force was shot from behind where Truman stood to take the oath of office. As the camera pans, one of the press platforms is visible above the crowd. Roughly 600,000 people attended the inauguration at the east front of the Capitol Building. Approximately ten million people tuned in to watch the ceremony on television, some gathering in movie theaters or public libraries.