took office as the first President of the United States on this date in 1789. Because neither the House nor Senate achieved a quorum until April, Washington’s unanimous election on February 4, wasn’t made official until April 14. Washington immediately departed Mount Vernon for New York to take the oath and was met along the way with parades and dinners in every little town. As Madison noted, Washington was about the only aspect of the new government that really appealed to people.