Inaugurations of United States Presidents Created by Anne Marie Corrieri

Every four years the people of the United States elect a President. Once elected, the President must be sworn in to office. This is called the Inauguration. Each President says a 35-word oath of Office that is in the Constitution. The Inauguration takes place on January 20 th.

The Inauguration, or swearing-in of the President, usually takes place on the steps of the Capitol Building in Washington, DC. The Capitol Building is where the Senate and House of Representatives are located. If there are problems, like bad weather, the event will take place indoors.

At the first Inauguration on April 30, 1789 George Washington became the first President of the United States. This Inauguration took place in New York City.

President Jefferson's Inauguration was the first held in Washington D.C. It was held on March 4, 1801.

On March 4, 1817 President Monroe was the first President to have his Inauguration take place outside.

On March 4, 1837 President Van Buren became the 8th President of the United States. This was the first Inauguration that the former and current Presidents rode together to the ceremony.

President Harrison gave the longest Inauguration speech on March 4, President Harrison died one month later from pneumonia.

When President Harrison died, John Tyler became the first Vice President to become President of the United States. President Tyler's Inauguration was held on April 6, 1841.

President Buchanan's Inauguration on March 4, 1857 was the first Inauguration to be photographed.

At President Lincoln’s second Inauguration, on March 4, 1865, African American people marched in the Inaugural parade for the very first time.

The first Inauguration to be filmed was President McKinley's on March 4, 1897.

Due to a snow storm, President Taft's Inauguration, on March 4, 1909, had to be held indoors.

In 1917 women marched, for the first time, in the Inaugural parade of President Wilson. It also was the first Inauguration that the First Lady went with the President to and from the Capitol Building.

President Harding was the first President to ride to and from his Inauguration in a car. His Inauguration was on March 4, 1921.

On March 4, 1925, the Inauguration of President Coolidge was the first to be heard on the radio.

President Roosevelt's Inauguration in 1937 was the first Inauguration held on January 20th. Before this Inaugurations were held on March 4th.

The first Inauguration to be seen on television was President Truman's. Many people watched that Inauguration on January 20, 1949.

The first time a poet read a poem at an Inauguration was on January 20, 1961 at President Kennedy's Inauguration.. Robert Frost was the poet.

The first and only time an Inauguration was held on an airplane, was after the assassination of President Kennedy. Lyndon Johnson, the Vice President, became President on November 22, 1963.

President Regan's first Inauguration in 1981 was the warmest on record (55 degrees) and his second Inauguration, in 1985, was the coldest on record (7 degrees).

President Clinton's Inauguration on January 20, 1997 was the first Inauguration broadcast live on the internet.

If you would like to learn more about the Presidents of the United States make sure you have an Internet connection and then click on the picture of Presidential Seal. This will bring you to the Official White House Website.

Information and graphics for this book were found at the following websites: http: // http: // http: //www. lbjlib.utexas.edu/johnson/lbjforkids/main.htm