There are more ways than ever to listen to History Daily ad-free.

Listen with Wondry Plus in the Wondry app.

As a member of NoisorPlus at noisor.com or in Apple Podcasts,

or you can get all of History Daily plus other fantastic history podcasts at IntoHistory.com.

Music It's March 4th, 1861, outside the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Senator Stephen Douglas takes his seat on a stage.

As an invited guest to today's presidential inauguration, Senator Douglas has the

luxury of a chair from which to watch the festivities. In contrast, the ordinary American citizens

in the crowd must stand, but that hasn't stopped thousands flocking to the Capitol to watch a historic

moment, the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln as the first Republican president of the United States.

The country that president-elect Lincoln will swear to serve has recently been plunged into an

existential crisis. Since Lincoln won the election four months ago, seven states have seceded

from the Union. Today, Senator Douglas hopes that Lincoln can find the right words to hold the rest of the

fragile nation together.

Lincoln rises from his seat and approaches the lectern, ready to deliver his inaugural address.

The crowds' cheers dissipate into a hush as spectators push forward, eager to hear the new

president speak. But Lincoln isn't ready

yet. He places his notes on the lectern. He rifles through his pockets to find his reading glasses.

And then Lincoln takes off his tall hat and awkwardly holds it in his hands, confused on where to put it.

Senator Douglas realizes there's no room for the hat on the small

lectern, and Lincoln's opponents in the crowd take advantage of the pause to disrupt the proceedings

with booze and jeers. Douglas decides to act before the protest gets out of hand. He jumps to his

...