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Inaugural History Photos


1817 – James Monroe

Monroe's inauguration was held outdoors for the first time since Washington's, in part because the Capitol had been burned down by the British in 1814. Monroe stood on a specially constructed inaugural platform (the first such edifice) to address the crowd of 5- to 8,000. He also broke with tradition by riding to his inauguration with his vice president, Daniel Tompkins.

(Photo: AP)