1861 Inauguration

The reception that took place on March 8, 1861, for Lincoln’s first inauguration was deemed by the oldest inhabitants of the Capital as “the most successful [reception] ever known here [in Washington].” Crowds squeezed into the White House to see the new president and shake his hand. President Lincoln shook hands for two and a half hours but still had to turn away hundreds of people when he retired to a private chamber around 10:30 that night.