First inauguration of Richard Nixon

In a nutshell

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. 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.

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Inaugural address

Nixon delivered an inaugural address, after taking his oath of office. He used a phrase which would go on to be his most famous one:

The greatest honor history can bestow is the title of peacemaker.

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