Fun Fact

In 1788, what was then known as the Continental Congress, determined that the first President and Vice-President of the United States should commence their post on the first Wednesday in March.  In 1789, when George Washington became the President, that day was March 4th.  Due to the fixed term of the presidency being 4 years, future inaugurations would also take place on March 4th until the 20th Amendment was ratified in 1933, which changed the date of inauguration to January 20th.  The length of time was shortened due to the significant advances in transportation and communication.  In the 18th and 19th centuries, information about the election of a new President may have taken days or weeks to reach everyone in the country, whereas in 1933 everyone would know within several hours. Thus, it became unnecessary to have a lame-duck President in office for 4 months.  This also means that Franklin D. Roosevelt, who became President in 1933, had the length of his first term (of four) shortened by 43 days (the length of time between January 20, 1937 and March 4, 1937).