Friends of the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site

07/02/2026

04/15/2026

On This Day in history: Andrew Johnson was sworn in as the 17th President of the United States.

On April 14th, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. On April 15th, 1865, Abraham Lincoln died at 7:22 a.m. in the Petersen Boarding House. Later that morning around 11 o’clock, Lincoln’s Vice President, Andrew Johnson, was inaugurated at Kirkwood House in Washington, D.C. Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase administered the presidential oath of office. Since Lincoln was assassinated only 42 days into his second term as president, Andrew Johnson’s only term as president was a partial term of the remaining 3 years and 323 days.

Several cabinet members and senators were witnesses to President Johnson’s inauguration. Johnson gave a statement following his oath, which served as his inaugural address under the circumstances:

“Gentlemen, I must be permitted to say that I have been almost overwhelmed by the announcement of the sad event which has so recently occurred. I feel incompetent to perform duties so important and responsible as those which have been so unexpectedly thrown upon me…In conclusion, gentlemen, let me say that I want your encouragement and countenance. I shall ask and rely upon you and others in carrying the government through its present perils. I feel in making this request that it will be heartily responded to by you and all other patriots and lovers of the rights and interests of a free people.”