Today in history: One of the greatest inaugural addresses in American history

In 1865, President Lincoln delivered his second inaugural address

Lincoln delivers his second inaugural from a small white podium, seen in the center of the photograph.
(Image credit: General Photographic Agency/Getty Images)

March 4, 1797: In his inaugural address, President John Adams warned Americans not to lose sight of the ongoing threat to American liberty. Adams's inaugural was very colorful. It was the only time that outgoing President George Washington, Vice President Thomas Jefferson, who had been sworn in earlier that day, and Adams had ever appeared together at such a high-profile event. Before being sworn in, the president-elect told his soon-to-be First Lady Abigail that he was a nervous wreck, and that he felt as if he were on stage playing a part in a play. It was, he said, "the most affecting and overpowering scene I ever acted in."

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