First inauguration of Richard Nixon

The first inauguration of Richard Nixon as the 37th president of the United States was held on Monday, January 20, 1969, at the East Portico of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. This was the 46th inauguration and marked the commencement of the first and eventually only full term of both Richard Nixon as president and Spiro Agnew as vice president. Chief Justice Earl Warren administered the presidential oath of office to Nixon, and Senate Minority Leader Everett Dirksen administered the vice presidential oath to Agnew.^[1][2] Nixon had narrowly defeated Hubert Humphrey, the incumbent vice president, in the presidential election. Nixon became the first non-incumbent vice president to be inaugurated as president, something that would not happen again until Joe Biden in 2021. (Had Walter Mondale won the 1984 presidential election, he would have been the second non-incumbent vice president to be inaugurated as president, unless Jimmy Carter had won reelection in 1980 presidential election in this scenario). This was also the last presidential oath administered by Chief Justice Earl Warren. It was the last time until 2025 that Hail, Columbia wasn't played for the new vice president immediately upon taking the oath.

DateJanuary 20, 1969; 57 years ago (1969-01-20)

Location

• United States Capitol,
  Washington, D.C.

OrganizedbyJoint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies

ParticipantsRichard Nixon
37th president of the United States
— Assuming office

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Earl Warren
Chief Justice of the United States
— Administering oath

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Spiro Agnew
39th vice president of the United States
— Assuming office

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Everett Dirksen
United States Senate minority leader
— Administering oath

Quick facts Date, Location ...

First presidential inauguration of Richard Nixon

Richard Nixon takes the oath of office as the 37th president of the United States
Date	January 20, 1969; 57 years ago (1969-01-20)
Location	United States Capitol, Washington, D.C.
Organized by	Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies
Participants	Richard Nixon 37th president of the United States — Assuming office Earl Warren Chief Justice of the United States — Administering oath Spiro Agnew 39th vice president of the United States — Assuming office Everett Dirksen United States Senate minority leader — Administering oath
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