Grover Cleveland
First Inaugural Address
Wednesday, March 4, 1885
On the East Portico of the Capitol, the former Governor of New York was administered the oath of office by Chief Justice Morrison Waite. A Democrat whose popularity, in part, was the result that he was not part of the Washington political establishment, Mr. Cleveland rode to the Capitol with President Arthur, who had taken office upon the assassination of President Garfield. After the ceremony, a fireworks display at the White House and a ball at the Pension Building on Judiciary Square were held for the public.