First inauguration of James Madison

First presidential inauguration of James Madison
MADISON, James-President (BEP engraved portrait).jpg
BEP engraved portrait of Madison as president.
DateMarch 4, 1809; 215 years ago (1809-03-04)
LocationUnited States Capitol,
Washington, D.C.
ParticipantsJames Madison
4th president of the United States
— Assuming office

John Marshall
Chief Justice of the United States
— Administering oath

George Clinton
4th vice president of the United States
— Assuming office
← 1805
1813 →

The first inauguration of James Madison as the fourth president of the United States was held on Saturday, March 4, 1809, in the chamber of the House of Representatives at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. The inauguration marked the commencement of the first four-year term of James Madison as president and the second term of George Clinton as vice president. The presidential oath was administered by Chief Justice John Marshall. The President wore a 100% American-made wool suit, and the first official inaugural ball occurred at Long's Hotel, with ticket prices being $4 (currently about $78).[1] Clinton died 3 years, 47 days into this term, and the office remained vacant for the balance of it. (Prior to ratification of the Twenty-fifth Amendment in 1967, no constitutional provision existed for filling an intra-term vacancy in the vice presidency.) Clinton was the first vice president to die in office.

  1. ^ "President James Madison, 1809". Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. Archived from the original on 2009-01-20. Retrieved 2009-01-23.