Andrew Johnson Got Drunk Before His Own VP Inauguration
The scandal embarrassed everyone
Andrew Johnson liked his liquor.
A lot.
The man was known for knocking back what he could, and when he assumed the office of vice president on March 4, 1865, he was smashed. Obliterated. To be clear… was practically sweating alcohol.
By many accounts, Johnson had been drunk for almost a week prior to the ceremony. That morning, witnesses say he consumed at least three glasses of hard stuff right before taking the oath. It was a miracle he even made it to the Capitol.
Once on the dais, Johnson kissed the Bible while taking the oath, and gave a rambling speech many described as hostile, repetitive, and incoherent. Bystanders were scandalized. The press struggled to find the words to describe it to readers. When it came time for Johnson to swear in Senators, he was unable to do so.
Still, the oath was deemed valid, and Johnson was declared the lawful Veep.
But he was in political trouble. He already had plenty of enemies in Washington, and his rude behavior at the inauguration only made all of that worse. When Johnson became president forty-two days later, he was already struggling. He served out the rest of Lincoln’s second term and narrowly survived an impeachment.
In 1869, the country turned to new leadership, electing Ulysses S. Grant to the office.
Don’t forget…
I started a book club of sorts here on Land of the Free, and we’re in the middle of the first read.
A Fever in the Heartland is a gripping narrative history that tells the true story of the KKK during the 1920s. This is history that is often overlooked and yet is so important to remember. I’m in the middle of reading it, and if you haven’t started it, I recommend this top your list.
