First Inaugration of James Monroe

James Monroe was inaugurated as the fifth president of the United States on March 4, 1817. He was the first person to take the oath of office out-of-doors, in front of the Old Brick Capitol that was used while damage to the permanent building from the War of 1812 was repaired. U.S. Chief Justice John Marshall, Monroe's childhood friend and fellow Revolutionary War veteran, administered the oath.