Government under the U.S. Constitution began

On March 4, 1789, the federal government formally began operating under the U.S. Constitution, as the old Confederation Congress ceded power. After New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify in 1788, this date was set for the new system to take effect, replacing the Articles of Confederation.

The first session of the new Congress was to convene at Federal Hall in New York City. The plan, however, ran into a very human snag: hardly anyone arrived on time.

Of its 81 members, only 22 showed up for the first session.

With senators and representatives still traveling by horseback, stage, and sailing ship, the chambers could not reach a quorum and were unable to conduct any business. It took roughly another month for enough members to reach New York.

George Washington, elected unanimously, was not inaugurated until April 30, 1789. March 4 nonetheless remained the nation’s official start of Congress and inauguration day until the 20th Amendment moved it in 1933.