George Washington’s inauguration as the first President of the United States took place on April 30, 1789. The ceremony was held in New York City, the temporary capital, on the balcony of Federal Hall. Washington arrived at the venue in a state coach and was greeted by members of Congress, military units, and a large crowd of spectators [5].
Upon his arrival, Washington was escorted to the Senate Chamber where he was received by Congress. He then stepped onto the balcony to take the oath of office, which was administered by Robert Livingston, the Chancellor of New York. Washington placed his hand on a Bible, swore to faithfully execute the office of President, and to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. After taking the oath, he kissed the Bible and Livingston proclaimed, “Long live George Washington, President of the United States!” to the cheers of the crowd [5][6].
Following the oath, Washington delivered his inaugural address inside the Senate Chamber. In his speech, he expressed his reluctance to accept the presidency and his desire to serve without a salary, a stance he later reconsidered. He also invoked religious sentiment, a practice that would become common in future inaugural addresses. Washington’s address emphasized his awareness of the responsibilities of the presidency and his commitment to the principles of liberty and republican government [2][3].
After the address, Washington and the members of Congress attended a divine service at St. Paul’s Chapel. The day concluded with a fireworks display in the evening[5]. Washington’s inauguration set many precedents for future ceremonies, including the delivery of an inaugural address and the use of a Bible for the oath [3][7].
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George Washington’s inauguration as the first President of the United States inspired the creation of various commemorative buttons, which are now known as George Washington Inaugural Buttons (GWIB). These buttons were crafted by enterprising artisans and featured patriotic designs to celebrate the occasion. Here is a summary of the different types of GWIBs that were created:
Fifteen Star Button: This design celebrates both George Washington and the nation’s expansion, featuring the phrase “Long Live the President” and fifteen stars representing the states at the time [9].
Eagle Design: Some buttons showcased an eagle, which is a symbol of the United States and its freedom [11].
Chain of States: Other buttons included a design with a chain linking the initials of the original thirteen states, symbolizing unity and strength. This design was first seen on Continental Currency notes issued in 1776 [13].
Script Monogram “GW”: A circular copper button with the script monogram “GW” in the center, surrounded by the phrase “LONG LIVE THE PRESIDENT” and an outer design of linked ovals with the abbreviations of the original thirteen colonies [13].
Splayed Eagle Design: A brass button with a splayed eagle design, which was a popular motif of the time [12].
These buttons were not like modern political buttons; they were intended to be sewn onto clothing. They were worn by spectators at the inauguration and became treasured keepsakes and collectibles over time. The variety of designs reflects the celebratory and patriotic spirit of the era, with many buttons including the phrase “Long Live the President” as a common element [11][13][14]. The GWIBs are now highly sought after by collectors and are considered rare historical artifacts.
Citations:
- [1] https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/first-and-second-inaugurals/
- [2] https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/inaugurations/the-inaugural-address/the-first-inauguration/
- [3] https://museum.archives.gov/featured-document-display-george-washingtons-first-inaugural-address
- [4] https://study.com/academy/lesson/george-washingtons-inauguration-speech-location-date.html
- [5] https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/president-george-washingtons-first-inaugural-speech
- [6] https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/the-first-president/inauguration/timeline/
- [7] https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/historic-document-library/detail/george-washington-first-inaugural-address-1789
- [8] https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-resources/lesson-plan/understanding-president-washington-through-his-first-inaugural-and
- [9] https://www.mountvernon.org/preservation/collections-holdings/the-material-culture-of-the-presidency/inaugural-buttons/
- [10] https://www.georgewashingtoninauguralbuttons.com
- [11] https://www.amrevmuseum.org/color-your-own-george-washington-inaugural-buttons
- [12] https://www.sethkaller.com/item/2100-25794-Original-1789-First-Inaugural-Button:-%C3%ACMemorable-Era—March-the-Fourth-1789%C3%AE
- [13] https://monmouthhistory.emuseum.com/objects/1037/george-washington-inaugural-button?ctx=9cbbbcf87482f76550b88f1a0b73f8b18fadaa38&idx=1
- [14] https://www.thehenryford.org/collections-and-research/digital-collections/artifact/123014
- [15] https://bid.lionandunicorn.com/lots/view/4-7JUU74/an-18th-c-gw-inaugural-button-with-linked-states
- [16] https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/nmah_1131406
