Today in History: Lincoln’s Inauguration

Today in History–March 4–the Library of Congress features the first inauguration of President Abraham Lincoln, conducted  on this date in 1861. Times were tense  and Lincoln delivered his inaugural address under the guard of riflemen. In the speech he called for compromise and appealed for the preservation of the Union. Learn more about President Lincoln’s first day in office by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary source about both of Lincoln’s inaugurations and more.

First inauguration

• Story of Abraham Lincoln’s first inauguration from America’s Library
• Documents Lincoln used as he created his first inaugural address
  • Constitution of the United States of America 1787
  • Daniel Webster’s reply to Hayne 1830
  • President Andrew Jackson nullification proclamation 1832
  • Henry Clays great compromise speech 1850
• Abraham Lincoln’s first inaugural address
• Items from Abraham Lincoln’s first inauguration (printed copy with handwritten edits)
• Abraham Lincoln first inauguration primary source set March 4, 1861
• Abraham Lincoln first inauguration historical newspaper coverage 1861

Second inauguration

• Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address
• Abraham Lincoln second inauguration primary source set March 4, 1865
• Lincoln inaugurations image set
• Abraham Lincoln second inauguration historical newspaper coverage 1865

More Lincoln primary source collections & teaching resources 

• Presidential Spotlight: Abraham Lincoln
• Primary Source Learning About Lincoln

Related resources

• Primary Source Spotlight: U.S. Constitution
• Today in History: Daniel Webster
• Today in History: Nullification Crisis
• Today in History: Henry Clay