Hayes

On March 3, 1877, newly elected Ohioan Rutherford B. Hayes took the oath of office of president of the United States in the Red Room of the White House in a private ceremony.

In those days, Inauguration Day was March 4, unless it fell on a Sunday. Hayes' inauguration was scheduled for Monday, March 5, but because the election was contested, he opted to be sworn in March 3 - the day after he was proclaimed the victor.

The outcome of the presidential election of 1876 gave Democrat Samuel Tilden the majority of popular votes. He lacked only one electoral vote to win. Twenty electoral votes - those of Florida, Louisiana, Oregon and South Carolina - were disputed, and a 15-member Electoral Commission was appointed to deliberate the outcome.

By a majority of 8 to 7, Ohio Gov. Hayes, the Republican candidate, was elected March 2. He took the oath twice - both times administered by Chief Justice Morrison Waite.

- Rebecca Goodman