The Principal Reason for the Selection of This Date Was the Curious Fact
That It Seldom Falls on Sunday.
There have been many objections raised to the date upon which the
Presidents of the United States are inaugurated, chief among them being
the usually inclement weather which prevails so early in the spring.
The first President Harrison contracted the cold which caused his death,
soon after he assumed office, at the ceremonies attending his
inauguration; and anxiety is always expressed lest the unhappy incident
should be repeated. There was a reason for choosing that date, however,
which very few persons have ever heard of.
When the day was fixed upon the 4th of March, It was because that date
seldom occurred on Sunday. But three times during our history has the
inauguration day fallen on that day. The first was the second
inaugural of James Monroe, the fifth President, March 4, 1821; the
second was when Zachary Taylor was made President, March 4, 1849; the
third was the inauguration of Rutherford B. Hayes, on March 4, 1877.
This will happen three times during each century, or one year after
every seven leap years. Except when passing from one century to
another, there is a slight variation, as will be observed in the
following dates of the past and future inaugurations, of the first two
centuries of the republic:
March 4 1821
March 4 1849
March 4 1877
March 4 1917
March 4 1945
March 4 1973