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Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies Inaugural Web Site. January 20, 2009; Printed from inaugural.senate.gov.

President James Knox Polk, 1845

Vice President George M. Dallas
Inauguration Date Tuesday, March 4, 1845
Location East Portico, U.S. Capitol
Oath Administered By: Roger B. Taney, Chief Justice
Bible Used: The origin of Polk's Bible is unknown, although a letter in the front of the volume indicates that after the Inauguration, it was presented to Mrs. Polk by the Marshal of the District of Columbia. There is no indication that it was open during the oath-taking, and has no marked passages.
Length of Inaugural Address: 4,801 words
Attire (what the president wore): Unknown
Weather: Thunderstorms at dawn with rain during the day. Total rainfall was .40 inches and the estimated noon temperature was 42°F. Polk took his oath of office under an umbrella in heavy rain. The crowd was a sea of umbrellas with people standing ankle deep in mud.
Precedents, "firsts" or other interesting information:
  • Polk's was the first Inaugural ceremony reported by telegraph.
  • It was also the first Inauguration to appear in a newspaper illustration (Illustrated London News) .