United States presidential inauguration facts for kids
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The Presidential Inauguration is a special ceremony where the new President officially begins their term. This happens after the election. The President takes an oath to faithfully lead the country. This ceremony takes place for every new presidential term, even if the same president is elected again.
The very first inauguration was for George Washington on April 30, 1789. For many years, inaugurations were held on March 4. However, if March 4 was a Sunday, the public ceremony moved to Monday, March 5. Since 1937, Inauguration Day has been January 20. If January 20 falls on a Sunday, the President takes the oath privately that day. A public ceremony then follows on Monday, January 21. The most recent presidential inauguration was on January 20, 2025. On that day, Donald Trump began his new term.
The only part of the ceremony required by the United States Constitution is the President taking the oath of office. Usually, the Chief Justice of the United States leads the President in saying this oath. Since 1789, the oath has been given at sixty scheduled public inaugurations. Sometimes, if a president leaves office unexpectedly, other judges have administered the oath.
Since 1981, inaugurations have usually taken place at the west front of the United States Capitol. This spot faces the National Mall, where you can see the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. Before that, many ceremonies were held on the Capitol's east side. Some inaugurations have also happened inside the Capitol building. For example, in the Capitol Rotunda. The last regular inauguration not held at the Capitol was for Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945. That one took place at the White House.
Over time, the inauguration has grown into a day-long celebration. It now includes parades, speeches, and parties. The main ceremony is shown live on TV and online for everyone to watch.
Sometimes, a president takes office unexpectedly during a term. When this happens, the ceremony is usually very simple and quick. The new president takes the oath and often speaks to the nation soon after. This has happened nine times in U.S. history. Most of these times were after a president passed away. One time was after a president resigned.
Inauguration Ceremonies
When Does it Happen?
The first inauguration for George Washington was on April 30, 1789. From 1793 until 1933, most regular inaugurations happened on March 4. This date was when the U.S. government officially started in 1789. If March 4 was a Sunday, the public ceremony was moved to Monday, March 5. This happened four times.
In 1937, Inauguration Day changed to January 20. This change followed the Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution. The January 20 date has been used ever since. Like before, if January 20 falls on a Sunday, the President takes the oath privately. The public ceremony then takes place on Monday, January 21. This happened in 1957, 1985, and 2013.
In modern times, these private Sunday ceremonies are often televised. Nine times in history, presidents took office unexpectedly during a term. These ceremonies were also different.
Inauguration Day is not a national holiday for everyone. However, federal employees working in the Washington D.C. area get the day off. This area includes parts of Maryland and Virginia.
Sometimes, Inauguration Day falls on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This is another federal holiday. This happened in 1997, 2013, and 2025.
Where Does it Take Place?
Most presidential inaugurations since 1801 have been held at the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. Earlier inaugurations took place in New York City and Philadelphia. These cities were the nation's capital at the time.
Some inaugurations have been held in other places. James Monroe's 1817 ceremony moved to the Old Brick Capitol. This was because the main Capitol building was being repaired after a war. Three other inaugurations happened at the White House. These were for Franklin D. Roosevelt (1945), Harry S. Truman (1945), and Gerald Ford (1974).
Inaugurations are usually outdoor public ceremonies. But sometimes, bad weather changes the plans. In 1909, William Howard Taft's inauguration moved indoors due to a blizzard. In 1985, Ronald Reagan's second inauguration was held inside the Capitol Rotunda because of very cold weather. The Second inauguration of Donald Trump in 2025 also moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda due to extreme cold.
The first inauguration of Andrew Jackson in 1829 was the first of many held on the Capitol's east front. Since Ronald Reagan's first inauguration in 1981, ceremonies have been on the Capitol's west front. This change allowed more space for people to watch. Five large U.S. flags are displayed above the west front platform.
Who Organizes the Event?
Before Inauguration Day, the President-elect chooses a Presidential Inaugural Committee. This group raises money and plans all the official events. These events include parties and the parade.
Since 1901, the Joint Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies has planned the swearing-in ceremonies. They also host a special lunch at the U.S. Capitol for the new President and Vice President. This committee is made up of senators and representatives.
The Joint Task Force National Capital Region helps with military support. This group includes members from all branches of the United States Armed Forces. They have participated in inaugurations since 1789. Their role includes providing music, color guards, and honor cordons. This military support honors the new President, who is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. It also shows that civilians lead the military.
Who Attends?
Many important people attend the inauguration. These include the Vice President, members of Congress, and Supreme Court justices. High-ranking military officers, former presidents, and vice presidents are also there. The outgoing president and vice president usually attend the ceremony.
Most outgoing presidents have been present for their successor's inauguration. However, six presidents did not attend:
- John Adams left Washington before Thomas Jefferson's inauguration in 1801.
- John Quincy Adams also left town before Andrew Jackson's inauguration in 1829.
- Martin Van Buren was not present for William Henry Harrison's inauguration in 1841. His son was ill, and there was political disagreement.
- Andrew Johnson held a final cabinet meeting instead of attending Ulysses S. Grant's inauguration in 1869.
- Woodrow Wilson stayed inside the Capitol Building during Warren G. Harding's inauguration in 1921 due to poor health.
- Donald Trump held a departure ceremony and left Washington, D.C. before Joe Biden's inauguration in 2021.
How We Watch It: Communication Over Time
The way we learn about inauguration events has changed with technology. New ways of sharing information have allowed presidents to reach more people. In 1829, Andrew Jackson spoke to about 10,000 people. In 2017, about 160,000 people were on the National Mall to see Donald Trump sworn in. Millions more watched on television and streamed it online.
Here are some important moments in how inaugurations have been shared:
- 1801: The first newspaper extra of an inaugural address was printed for Thomas Jefferson.
- 1845: James K. Polk's inauguration was the first covered by telegraph. It also had the first known newspaper illustration.
- 1857: James Buchanan's inauguration was the first known to be photographed.
- 1897: William McKinley's first inauguration was the first to be recorded on film.
- 1905: Telephones were used on the Capitol Grounds for Theodore Roosevelt's second inauguration.
- 1925: Calvin Coolidge's second inauguration was the first broadcast nationally on radio.
- 1929: Herbert Hoover's inauguration was the first recorded by a talking newsreel.
- 1949: Harry S. Truman's second inauguration was the first to be televised.
- 1961: John F. Kennedy's inauguration was the first televised in color.
- 1981: Ronald Reagan's first inauguration included the first closed-captioning for the deaf.
- 1997: Bill Clinton's second inauguration was the first broadcast live on the Internet.
The Main Ceremony
The inauguration ceremony follows traditions, not strict rules from the Constitution. The only constitutional requirement is the President taking the oath. Traditionally, the President-elect arrives at the White House. Then, they go to the Capitol Building with the outgoing president. Around noon, the President takes the oath. This is usually led by the Chief Justice of the United States. After that, the President gives an inaugural address.
Taking the Oath of Office
The Vice President also takes an oath of office during the same ceremony. Before 1937, the Vice President's oath was given in the Senate Chamber. This was because the Vice President is also the president of the Senate. The Vice President takes their oath first. Afterward, the United States Marine Band plays "ruffles and flourishes" and "Hail, Columbia".
The Constitution does not say exactly what words the Vice President must say. Several versions of the oath have been used. The current version has been used since 1884:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
At noon, the new presidential and vice presidential terms officially begin. Around that time, the President says the oath of office required by the Constitution:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.
After George Washington took his oath in 1789, he reportedly added the words "so help me God." This phrase has become a common tradition. The oath was given to Washington by Robert Livingston, a New York state official. Since John Adams's inauguration in 1797, it has been customary for the Chief Justice of the United States to administer the oath. Other judges have given the oath when a president took office unexpectedly. For example, Sarah T. Hughes, a federal judge, administered the oath to Lyndon B. Johnson in 1963.
Since 1789, there have been 60 inauguration ceremonies for new four-year terms. There have also been nine ceremonies when a president took office early. With Donald Trump's 2025 inauguration, the oath has been taken 74 times by 45 different people. This is because presidents take the oath for each term. Also, some presidents took the oath privately on a Sunday before a public ceremony.
The Constitution does not require a specific book for the oath. However, presidents traditionally place their left hand on a Bible or other sacred book. They raise their right hand while taking the oath. Some presidents, like John Quincy Adams and Theodore Roosevelt, did not use a Bible. Franklin Pierce chose to "affirm" the oath instead of "swearing" it.
Bibles with historical importance are often used. George H. W. Bush, Jimmy Carter, and Dwight D. Eisenhower used the George Washington Inaugural Bible. Barack Obama and Donald Trump used the Lincoln Bible. Joe Biden used a large family Bible.
Right after the presidential oath, the United States Marine Band plays "ruffles and flourishes" and "Hail to the Chief". At the same time, a 21-gun salute is fired. The Marine Band is believed to have first played at Thomas Jefferson's inauguration in 1801. They are the only musical group to participate in all parts of the inauguration. This includes the ceremony, parade, and inaugural ball.
The Inaugural Address
After taking the oath, the new President usually gives a speech. This is called an inaugural address. George Washington started this tradition in 1789. He read his speech to Congress after taking his oath. Every president since Washington has given an inaugural address. Today, the Chief Justice gives the oath first, then the President gives their speech.
William Henry Harrison gave the longest inaugural address in 1841. It was 8,445 words long. George Washington gave the shortest address in 1793, with only 135 words.
Presidents use their inaugural address to share their vision for America. They also talk about their goals for the nation. Many famous and powerful speeches are still remembered today. In 1865, during the American Civil War, Abraham Lincoln spoke about healing the nation. In 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt famously said, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” In 1961, John F. Kennedy encouraged Americans to "ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country."
When a president took office unexpectedly, they did not give an inaugural address. However, they usually spoke to Congress soon after. When Gerald Ford became president in 1974, he spoke to the nation. He called his speech "just a little straight talk among friends."
Prayers and Poems
Since 1937, the ceremony has included one or more prayers. Often, the President-elect attends a private or public prayer service on the morning of the inauguration. Sometimes, a larger public prayer service takes place the day after the main ceremony.
Several inaugurations since 1961 have included a poet reading. Here are some of the poets and their readings:
- John F. Kennedy's inauguration (1961): Robert Frost read "The Gift Outright".
- Bill Clinton's first inauguration (1993): Maya Angelou read "On the Pulse of Morning".
- Bill Clinton's second inauguration (1997): Miller Williams read "Of History and Hope".
- Barack Obama's first inauguration (2009): Elizabeth Alexander read "Praise Song for the Day".
- Barack Obama's second inauguration (2013): Richard Blanco read "One Today".
- Joe Biden's inauguration (2021): Amanda Gorman read "The Hill We Climb".
Other Celebrations
Over the years, many traditions have made the inauguration a day-long event. These include parades, speeches, and parties. Modern inaugural celebrations can last for about 10 days. Sometimes, celebrations are smaller. This happened in 1945 during World War II due to rationing. In 1973, events for Richard Nixon's second inauguration were changed. This was because former president Lyndon B. Johnson passed away two days after the ceremony.
The Congressional Luncheon
Since 1953, the President and Vice President have attended a special luncheon. This lunch is hosted by the leaders of the United States Congress. It happens right after the inauguration ceremony. The luncheon is held in National Statuary Hall. Leaders from both houses of Congress attend, along with guests of the President and Vice President. The outgoing president and vice president usually do not attend. The 2021 inaugural luncheon was canceled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The Inaugural Parade
After arriving at the White House, the President and Vice President review an inaugural parade. This tradition started with James Garfield in 1881. The parade travels along Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House. It includes military groups and civilian participants from all 50 states. This parade grew from earlier processions to the White House.
In 1805, for Thomas Jefferson's second inauguration, workers and military music accompanied him. By 1841, political groups traveled to Washington for the parade. That year, floats were also part of the parade for the first time. In 1865, Native Americans and African Americans participated in the parade for the first time. Women joined the parade for the first time in 1917.
In 1829, after his first parade, Andrew Jackson held a public reception at the White House. So many people came that Jackson had to leave through a window! White House receptions continued for a while.
Grover Cleveland’s 1885 parade lasted three hours and had 25,000 marchers. Lyndon Johnson’s parade included 52 bands. Dwight D. Eisenhower's 1953 parade had about 22,000 service members and 5,000 civilians. It also featured 50 floats, 65 musical groups, and even three elephants!
In 1977, Jimmy Carter was the first president to walk more than a mile of the parade route. This walk has become a tradition for presidents since then.
Twice in the 20th century, the parade down Pennsylvania Avenue was not held. In 1945, during World War II, Franklin D. Roosevelt's fourth inauguration was very simple. There was no parade due to wartime shortages. In 1985, it was extremely cold. All outdoor events for Ronald Reagan's second inauguration were canceled or moved indoors.
A National Prayer Service
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A prayer service connected to the inauguration dates back to George Washington. The modern tradition of a public interfaith service began in 1933. This service is usually held at the Washington National Cathedral. It takes place the morning after the inauguration. Representatives from different religions attend.
Inaugural Balls
The first Inaugural Ball was held for James Madison's first inauguration in 1809. Tickets cost $4, and it took place at Long's Hotel. These balls are festive parties to celebrate the new presidency.
Keeping Everyone Safe: Security
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Security for the inauguration is very important and complex. Many agencies work together to keep everyone safe. These include the Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security. All six branches of the Armed Forces also help. The Capitol Police and local police departments are also involved.
Special Medals
Since George Washington, there has been a tradition of creating a presidential medal for inaugurations. These medals were originally inexpensive souvenirs for visitors. In 1901, an official committee was formed to create these medals. Gold medals were given to the President, Vice President, and committee chair. Silver medals went to committee members. Bronze medals were sold to the public.
When Theodore Roosevelt took office in 1905, he wanted a special medal. He hired a famous sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, to design it. Saint-Gaudens created a beautiful work of art. Today, sculptors still create a portrait of the new president for the medals. These designs are then used to make the official medals.
From 1929 to 1949, the U.S. Mint made the official medals. Since 1953, private companies have made them. The Smithsonian Institution and The George Washington University have the most complete collections of these presidential medals.
See also
In Spanish: Investidura presidencial de Estados Unidos para niños
