By Bob Lewis
The Associated Press
Saturday, January 14, 2006 4:58 PM

WILLIAMSBURG, Jan. 14 -- For the first time since Thomas Jefferson became governor, Virginia on Saturday celebrated the inauguration of a new chief executive with volleys from Revolution-era cannons and fife-and-drum flourishes on the grounds of the state's Colonial Capitol.

Timothy M. Kaine followed in some historic footsteps as he took the oath as the state's 70th governor. Patrick Henry was also sworn in here as the first governor of an independent Virginia here in 1776, and Jefferson followed in 1779, the year the government moved to Richmond to elude British capture.

In a short speech to nearly 5,000 guests standing in the cold rain, Kaine evoked that history, exhorting residents to pursue "the promise of Virginia." "Let us rise to the leadership example of Virginia's first 400 years," he said. "Let us affirm and carry forward our values of courage, opportunity and community."

He also signed his first directive as governor: an executive order barring employment discrimination in state government on the basis of race, gender, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or political affiliation. Kaine succeeds Gov. Mark R. Warner, a fellow Democrat who leaves office with a record high job-approval rating to explore a 2008 presidential bid.

Warner's popularity helped the former lieutenant governor win the office in a state hasn't backed a Democrat for president in 40 years. Saturday's inaugural ceremonies were moved to Williamsburg for the first time in 227 years because of extensive renovations at the 200-year-old state Capitol that Jefferson designed in Richmond.

Williamsburg was a fitting location: During Kaine's tenure, the state will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the first permanent English colony in America, established at nearby Jamestown in 1607.

The ceremonies took a page from history, as well. George Washington worshipped in the church that held the morning prayer service, a battery of 18th century cannons saluted the new governor, and a horse-drawn carriage waited to take him to the home once occupied by the royal governor of Virginia to watch a parade of fife-and-drum units in a parade.