Inauguration Day

Inauguration Day is the day on which the President of the United States is sworn in and takes office. Originally held every four years on March 4, the ratification of the Twentieth Amendment to the United States Constitution changed the time for the President and Vice President's terms to begin to noon on January 20th, beginning with Franklin Roosevelt's second term in 1937.

Inaugural traditions

The U.S. armed forces have participated in inaugural day ceremonies since George Washington, because the president is commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Since the first inauguration of Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953, that participation has been coordinated by the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee (now called the Joint Task Force-Armed Forces Inaugural Committee).

Related Topics:
U.S. armed forces - George Washington - Dwight D. Eisenhower - 1953 - Joint Task Force-Armed Forces Inaugural Committee

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The oath of office is traditionally administered by the Chief Justice of the United States on the steps of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. Following the oath, the President delivers an inaugural address, setting the tone for the new administration. Should January 20 be a Sunday, the President is usually administered the oath of office in a private ceremony on that day, followed by a public ceremony the following day. The Vice President is traditionally sworn into office a few minutes before the president.

Related Topics:
Chief Justice of the United States - United States Capitol - Washington, D.C. - Sunday

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Since 1953 the President and Vice President have been guests of honor at a luncheon held by the United States Congress immediately following the inaugural ceremony. Other than at State of the Union addresses and Red Mass, it is the only time the President, Vice President, and both houses of Congress congregate in the same locale.

Related Topics:
1953 - United States Congress - State of the Union - Red Mass

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Since Thomas Jefferson's second inaugural on March 4, 1805, it has become tradition for the president to parade down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House. The only president not to parade down Pennsylvania Avenue was Ronald Reagan. He paraded down Pennsylvania Ave. during his first inauguration, in 1981, amidst the joyous news just minutes into his term that the American hostages held in Iran for more than a year had been released, but didn't do so in 1985 because freezing cold temperatures, made dangerous by high winds, cancelled the parade. In 1977, Jimmy Carter started a new tradition by walking from the Capitol to the White House, although for security reasons, subsequent presidents have only walked a part of the way.

Related Topics:
Thomas Jefferson - March 4 - 1805 - Pennsylvania Avenue - White House - Ronald Reagan - 1981 - American hostages held in Iran - 1985 - 1977 - Jimmy Carter

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The inaugural celebrations usually lasts 10 days, from 5 days before the inauguration to 5 days after. However, in 1973, the celebrations marking Richard Nixon's second inauguration ended just two days after he was inaugurated because of the four days that marked the death and state funeral of Lyndon Johnson.

Related Topics:
1973 - Richard Nixon - State funeral - Lyndon Johnson

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