The inauguration of Jefferson Davis as the provisional President of the Confederate States of America marked a significant moment in the formation of the Confederacy in early 1861. Following the secession of several Southern states from the Union, Montgomery was chosen as the temporary capital of the Confederacy. On this day, Davis took an oath of office, signifying the establishment of a governing body that would assert the Southern states' right to self-determination. The ceremony was held at the Alabama State Capitol, attended by delegates from the seceded states and other dignitaries, reflecting the broad support for the Confederacy's formation among its members.

Davis, a lawyer and politician with a storied career in public service, delivered an address that laid out the Confederacy's foundational principles, emphasizing the importance of states' rights and the preservation of slavery as a cornerstone of Southern society. His speech also addressed the perceived injustices faced by the South under Northern policies, positioning the Confederacy as both a political and cultural entity distinct from the Union. The audience's response illustrated the high hopes placed in Davis's leadership as they faced growing conflict with the Union forces.

The event not only solidified Davis’s leadership but also served as a rallying point for the Confederate cause, inviting support and loyalty from the Southern territories as tensions escalated into the Civil War. The inauguration, marked by ceremonies and public displays, symbolized a new beginning for the South, as leaders sought to navigate the challenges of establishing a government and military amid growing hostilities. This event set the stage for the evolving dynamics of the Civil War and the Southern states' fight for independence, framing the narrative of resistance against perceived oppression.