Here’s a brief look back in time on this day, March 4.
In 1789, the 1st U.S. Congress and House of Representatives convene for their first session under the Constitution. Certain rights had yet to be formalized into law however, such as checks and balances; acts considered crimes; and even the Oath of Office. It would take a couple of years for the two offices to agree on rules for this new government. Even the Constitution itself was a difficult matter to pass bureaucracy prior to this first session.
In 1861, Abraham Lincoln is inaugurated as the 16th President of the United States. The Presidential Oath of Office was delivered to Lincoln by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney at the U.S. Capitol. This was during a time of excitement to some, and a time of fear for others. At this point, seven states had seceded from the Union over the politically hot topic of slavery. During the festivities, Lincoln gave a unifying speech in the hope of preventing a civil war. It would unfortunately fall on deaf ears, as Fort Sumter is attacked by the Confederacy the following month. Lincoln became a wartime president, which remained his role for the majority of his administration.
In 1974, the first edition of People Magazine is published. The magazine was founded from ex-LIFE managing editor Richard Stolley: the journalist who acquired and published the Zapruder tape of the John F. Kennedy assassination. Each page covers a variety of different topics regarding lifestyle, news, and sports. Special editions such as “Sexiest Man Alive” and “World’s Most Beautiful” helped the magazine make its mark in pop culture.