Rutherford B. Hayes took the oath of office two days ahead of schedule, in a secret ceremony at the White House on March 3, 1877, attended by President Grant.

Hayes’ opponent, Samuel Tilden, had won the popular vote but lost the electoral college, and rumors were circulating that he planned to claim the presidency for himself.

That didn’t happen, and Hayes was inaugurated peacefully on March 5.

But, arguably, for those two days in March the United States had two presidents.