4. There Were Fireworks!
George Washington at St. Paul’s Chapel. Photo via Wikimedia: public domain
After the morning procession from the Presidential Mansion to Federal Hall, the Inauguration, George Washington’s inaugural address to Congress and services at St. Paul’s Chapel, the city was alight with grand illuminations of the likeness of George Washington, tallow candles in the windows and more. Later that evening, New Yorkers gathered to watch and cheer on an impressive two-hour show of fireworks.
The streets were so crowded after the fireworks display that George Washington walked from the home of Chancellor Robert R. Livingston back to the presidential mansion on Cherry Street.