Pres. James A. Garfield died on September 19, 1881, after being shot by Charles J. Guiteau. At about 2:15 AM the next day, Vice President Chester A. Arthur took the presidential oath at his private residence in New York City. On September 22 a more formal swearing-in ceremony was held in Washington, D.C. Arthur became the 21st president of the United States, and he left office after completing Garfield’s term.