Inauguration of Franklin Pierce

Inauguration of Franklin Pierce

The inauguration of Franklin Pierce as the 14th president of the United States happened on Friday, March 4, 1853. It took place at the East Portico of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.. This was the 17th inauguration and started Pierce’s only four-year term as president and William R. King as vice president.

Chief Justice Roger B. Taney gave Pierce the presidential oath of office. Pierce affirmed the oath instead of swearing it. He was also the first president to give his speech from memory.

Unfortunately, King was sick and in Spanish Cuba to get better. He could not be in Washington on March 4. With a Special Act from Congress, he was allowed to take his oath outside the United States. He took the oath on March 24, 1853. He was the only vice president sworn in outside the United States. King passed away just 45 days after becoming vice president. At the time, there was no rule to replace a vice president, and the office was empty until the Twenty-fifth Amendment was created in 1967.