This Day in History - 1789

On this day, 21 April 1789, in New York City, John Adams was sworn in as the 1st Vice-President of the United States of America. Technically, he was actually acting President for 9 days since George Washington wasn't sworn in as president until 30 April 1789. This was the only time that the President & Vice President weren't sworn in on the same day. Unlike more recent VPs he actually took his Constitutional responsibilities as President of the Senate seriously by regularly attending the daily sessions. He still holds the record for the most tie-breaking votes cast, 31. He was involved in the debate over the official title for the President. He prefered titles like His Majesty the President" or "His High Mightiness". This came from his experience as the 1st American Minister (Ambassador) to the Court of St. James in England. He saw the importance of titles to Europeans. However, most Senators didn't & gave him the nickname "His Rotundity" behind his back. Many other of his actions as President of the Senate would never be tolerated today. But, he probably wouldn't see the need for most of them as a lot of his actions were to try & get the Senate to set up proper procedures, AS HE SAW THEM. (Much as Adams is a hero of mine, at times what Franklin said about him was accurate: "at times out of his mind".

(Portrait of John Adams by John Trumbull)