Until the 20th amendment to the Constitution was ratified in 1933, the inauguration of the President of the United States was March 4th and not January 20th as it is today. When Zachary Taylor became president on March 4, 1849, inauguration day fell on a Sunday and Taylor refused to be sworn in on the Lord’s day. The tradition stuck and when the 20th amendment passed it was duly noted the inauguration takes place on the 21st if the 20th is a Sunday. Chalk one up for “Ol’ Rough and Ready” as Taylor was known. He only served about 15 months and was the 2nd president to die in office
