March 4 (annually)—Inauguration Day**

On this date in 1809, James Madison began his eight years as President of the United States.

(**The ratification of the Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution changed Inauguration Day
to noon on January 20th beginning with Franklin Roosevelt’s second term in 1937.)

Link to the First Inaugural Address of James Madison delivered Saturday, March 4, 1809-- http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres18.html

Link to the Second Inaugural Address of James Madison delivered Thursday, March 4, 1813-- http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres19.html

March 16 (annually)—Celebration of James Madison birth in 1751

Montpelier, 11407 Constitution Highway, Montpelier Station, VA 22957--Annual
wreath laying ceremony at the tomb of James Madison in the Madison Family
cemetery with special tribute delivered from the current President of the
United States by the U.S. Marine Corps at 1 p.m.

James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807--Activities consist of a
week of events including: memorial wreath laying ceremony, James Madison
lecture, luncheon, James Madison Commemorative Debate and Citizen Forum
Competition for Madison Cup and cash prizes, and annual gathering of World
Changers who subscribe to the assumed Madisonian principle of "Being the
Change."

April 5, 2009—Spring Walk in the James Madison Forest

Montpelier, 11407 Constitution Highway, Montpelier Station, VA 22957— At 2:00 p.m., Montpelier Horticulturist Sandy Mudrinich leads a walk through the James Madison Landmark Forest located just beyond the back lawn of the Great House at Montpelier. Designated a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior, the 200-acre site—sometimes called Montpelier’s Big Woods--is recognized as the best example of an old-growth forest in the Piedmont.

April 20-24 and April 27-May 1, 2009—Archaeology Expedition at Montpelier

Montpelier, 11407 Constitution Highway, Montpelier Station, VA 22957— Assist with an actual excavation conducted by professional archaeologists working at Montpelier as they seek to excavate the recently discovered Madison-era North Kitchen. Reserve a shovel by calling: (540) 672-2728 x 160.

May 20 (annually)—My dear Dolley’s Birthday

Montpelier, 11407 Constitution Highway, Montpelier Station, VA 22957—
Birthday cake celebration of Dolley Payne Todd Madison’s 1768 birth.

Also see the following links—
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/firstladies/dm4.html
http://moderntimes.vcdh.virginia.edu/madison/index.html
           

June 8 (annually)—Bill of Rights introduced

June 28 (annually)—James Madison died on this day in 1836.

http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/obits/madison.html

August 24 (annually)—Since 1814 a memorable day for both James and Dolley Madison

On this day in 1814, in separate skirmishes with invading British forces, James Madison almost became the first U.S. President captured in battle as he observed Marines fighting under Joshua Barney at the Battle of Bladensburg Bridge and Dolley fled the White House with Gilbert Stuart's Portrait of George Washington.

September 15 (annually)—Since 1794 the Wedding Anniversary of
James Madison to Dolley.

September 17 (annually)—Constitution Day

Consider visiting:
Montpelier, 11407 Constitution Highway, Montpelier Station VA 22957
Constitution Hall, 520 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Also see the following links—
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_Day_(United_States)
http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/constitution-day/
http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/other/2005-2/052405b.html

October 27 (annually)—Federalist Papers introduced

For additional events, see the calendar of events at the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University--http://web.princeton.edu/sites/jmadison/calendar/spring09.html