Inauguration of James K. Polk

The inauguration of James K. Polk as the 11th president of the United States took place on Tuesday, March 4, 1845, at the East Portico of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. This was the 15th inauguration and marked the commencement of the only four-year term of both James K. Polk as president and George M. Dallas as vice president. Polk was sworn in by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney. This was the first inaugural ceremony to be reported by telegraph and to be shown in a newspaper illustration; it appeared in The Illustrated London News.^[1]

Presidential inauguration of
James K. Polk

Sketch of ceremony in The Illustrated London News.
Date	March 4, 1845; 180 years ago (1845-03-04)
Location	United States Capitol, Washington, D.C.
Participants	James K. Polk 11th president of the United States — Assuming office Roger Taney Chief Justice of the United States — Administering oath George M. Dallas 11th vice president of the United States — Assuming office Willie Person Mangum President pro tempore of the United States Senate — Administering oath
← 1841 (extraordinary) 1849 →

See also

• Presidency of James K. Polk
• 1844 United States presidential election