| The second presidential inaugural took place on 3/4/1793. President George Washington established "inauguration day" which would remain in place until 1933. VP Adams did not take the oath until the third Congress assembled on 12/2/1793.
2d Inauguration of President Washington
VP Adams did not attend Washington's second inaugural. He announced before the Senate on 2/28/1793 that he would be leaving Washington City at the end of the day's session. On 3/2/1793, President Washington sent a message to Congress asking for guidance on preparations for his second inaugural [Senate minutes].
The U.S. Senate convened in the Senate Chamber in Independence Hall on 3/4/1789 just before noon for the inauguration. Jonathan Trumbull, Speaker of the House, along with many other Representatives, attended along with the four Cabinet members, the Supreme Court, some other federal government officers, some foreign ministers, and many private citizens. The newspaper did not mention that VP Adams was present [National Gazette (Philadelphia), 3/6/1793].
President Washington arrived in the Senate chamber at noon. John Langdon, PPT of the Senate, rose from the chair and said, "Sir, one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the United States is now present, and ready to administer to you the oath required by the Constitution, to be taken by the President of the United States." Washington gave his second inaugural, then took the oath. Supreme Court Justice William Cushing administered the oath to Washington. Washington did not say "so help me God" at the end of the oath. Washington then left the chamber, while saluted with three cheers by those present [National Gazette (Philadelphia), 3/6/1793]. All Philadelphia newspapers carried the same news story.
Vice Presidential Inauguration
VP Adams took the oath of office on 12/2/1793 when the new Senate convened in Philadelphia. PPT John Langdon administered the oath to Adams, who then administered the oath to the new Senators. [See the U.S. Senate minutes].
Historic Trivia
- 1793 was the first of 36 presidential inaugurations to take place on 3/4.
- The Washington-Adams ticket was the first of just eight teams to be elected to a second term.
- 1793 was the first of just two inaugurals to take place in Philadelphia.
- As in 1789, VP Adams took office on a different day than President Washington and assumed his duties before taking an oath.
- Washington's second inaugural was the shortest in US history.
Popular Vote of 1792
Electoral Vote of 1792
1st Presidential Inaugural (1789)
3d Presidential Inaugural (1797) | 
