Washington sacrificed everything so that liberty could take root and flourish. He resigned his commission, in his words to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me. Washington ultimately became our first president, duly elected by the people. He set the model for the American president. Yet when it comes to inaugurations, the model always changes.
Inaugurations have a colorful history and varied styles.
Washington was a man of action, not of words. His second address was only 135 words in length. William Henry Harrison s address lasted an hour and forty-five minutes and consisted of 8,500 words. But he only served in office for a month before he died of pneumonia. James Monroe was the first president to deliver his address outside the Capitol.