Today is Inauguration Day. If we could look back over these 224 years, we would
see that much has changed. The first presidential inauguration didn’t take place until
April 30, 1789. Congress planned to begin its responsibilities on March 4, but due to the
harsh winter wasn’t able to begin until April 6 to count the electors’ votes. There wasn’t
much suspense. George Washington was elected unanimously, and came to New York
for the oath of office.
The Twentieth Amendment changed the date from March to January. In fact, the
last president to be inaugurated in March was Franklin D. Roosevelt. Since the
inauguration of President John Adams, the chief justice of the United States has always
sworn in the president. Since Inauguration Day falls on a Sunday, the chief justice will
administer a private oath of office on Sunday before the Monday proceedings.
The oath of office is very simple. “I do solemnly swear 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.”
Thomas Jefferson was the first president to have inauguration ceremonies in
Washington, D.C. He walked to the Capitol for the oath of office and returned to his
boarding house afterwards for dinner. During this second inauguration, he began the
tradition of the Inaugural Open House (when the White House was opened to those who
wished to greet the President). Unfortunately, it got out of hand by the time Andrew
Jackson became president. He had to flee through a window after a mob of partisans
stormed the White House. He returned to a house full of ruined furniture and broken
china.
Modern inaugurations are more civil affairs and have provided a platform for
the incoming president to set the tone for his administration. When George Washington
delivered his first address, only the members of Congress heard what he said. Today all
of us can participate in this event through radio, television, and the Internet. This allows
all of us to hear, and that is good for the republic. I’m Kerby Anderson, and that’s my
point of view.