Presidential Inaugurations ― A Pictorial History

Reference book of the 58 Inaugural Speeches of the 45 Presidents of the United States of America. The history of Presidential Inaugurations dates back to 1789 when General George Washington the man who was elected as the first President of the United States took the 35 word oath of office. Washington was inaugurated on April 30th, 1789 in New York City which was the young nation’s capital at the time. He added the words “so help me god” to the presidential oath of office and then he delivered his Inaugural address. By 1801 Inauguration day would be moved to March 4th and the ceremonies to the new capital, Washington D.C. at the Capital building. Over the years new traditions would evolve. In 1803 Thomas Jefferson was the first President to have an Inaugural parade which was very small in today’s standard. James Madison in 1809 was the first to have an inaugural ball, from 1829 to 1977 weather permitting the Inaugural ceremonies were held on the east portico of the Capital building. In 1897, William McKinley was first have an inaugural luncheon. It is important for the nation and the world to hear the words of the President. Calvin Coolidge’s 1925 inaugural address was the first broadcast on national radio while in 1949 Harry S. Truman was the first to broadcast his Inaugural address on national television. Inauguration day is held on January 20th and it has been held on that date since 1937. The 20th amendment which was ratified in 1933 changed the date from March 4th to January 20th.