Introduction

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James Knox Polk
Inaugural Address
Tuesday, March 4, 1845

The inaugural ceremonies of former Tennessee Governor and Speaker of the House James Knox Polk were conducted before a large crowd that stood in the pouring rain. The popular politician had been nominated on the ninth ballot as his party's candidate. His name had not been in nomination until the third polling of the delegates at the national convention. The outgoing President Tyler, who had taken office upon the death of William Henry Harrison, rode to the Capitol with Mr. Polk. The oath of office was administered on the East Portico by Chief Justice Roger Taney. The events of the ceremony were telegraphed to Baltimore by Samuel Morse on his year-old invention.