At a Glance
- New York’s first Muslim mayor, Zohran Mamdani, is sworn in at a historic subway station and City Hall.
- The ceremonies include a midnight private oath with family and a 1 p.m. public event featuring a block party.
- A city archivist corrected the mayoral count, making Mamdani the 112th mayor.
- Why it matters: The events highlight New York’s evolving traditions, interfaith inclusion, and a historic correction in civic records.
Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration as New York City’s mayor will be remembered for its historic setting and unprecedented interfaith elements. The Democrat will take two oaths-first at a decommissioned subway station around midnight, then at City Hall at 1 p.m.-before a city-wide block party. The ceremonies also correct a long-standing record-keeping error that now lists him as the 112th mayor.
Midnight Oath in a Historic Subway
Mamdani’s first oath will be administered by Attorney General Letitia James in the former City Hall subway station, a flagship stop that closed in 1945. The station’s tiled arches and vaulted ceilings provide a striking backdrop for a moment that underscores the mayor’s commitment to working people. His office said the choice reflects the city’s past investment in infrastructure that improved residents’ lives.
Zohran Mamdani said:
> “Mamdani said the station represents an era when New York invested in infrastructure that improved people’s lives, an ambition he said his administration aims to carry forward.”
Zohran Mamdani’s office said:
> “commitment to the working people who keep our city running every day”
- Midnight private ceremony with family
- Oath administered by Letitia James
- Location: former City Hall subway station
- Theme: commitment to working people
Afternoon Swearing-In and Interfaith Significance
The public oath at City Hall will be taken at 1 p.m. by Senator Bernie Sanders, with opening remarks from Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Mamdani will place his hand on Qurans during both oaths, marking the first time a New York mayor has used Islam’s holy text. The event will feature a block party along Broadway, with performances, music, and interfaith elements.
Key figures in the ceremony
- Bernie Sanders
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
- John Turturro
- Cole Escola
- Colson Whitehead
Record-Keeping Glitch and Mayor Count
A city archivist concluded that Mamdani is the 112th mayor, not the 111th, after identifying an oversight involving a 17th-century mayor who served twice. The correction follows a review of mayoral records that had missed this duplication. The new count places Mamdani among a lineage that includes past leaders who shaped the city’s history.
City archivist said:
> “a city archivist concluded that Mamdani appears to be the 112th mayor, not the 111th, as had been thought before historians flagged an oversight concerning a 17th-century mayor who served twice.”
Key Takeaways
- Zohran Mamdani is New York’s first Muslim mayor and the 112th overall.
- His inauguration includes a historic subway oath and a public City Hall ceremony with interfaith elements.
- A record-keeping error has been corrected, updating the mayoral count.
The dual ceremonies not only celebrate a new era of leadership but also honor the city’s heritage and its diverse community.
