Inaugural Firsts
When was the first inaugural parade? Who had the longest inaugural address? A look at presidential inaugurations through time
- By Brian Wolly
- Smithsonian.com, December 17, 2008, Subscribe
First Inauguration on January 20th
1937 – Franklin Roosevelt takes the oath of the Presidency for the second time, but for the first time on January 20th. The 20th Amendment changed the date from March 4 to January 20 when it was ratified in 1933.
First Inauguration in Washington, D.C.
1801 – Thomas Jefferson is the first to take the oath of office in the new capital city, Washington, D.C. His inaugural speech is also the first to be reprinted in a newspaper.
First President to Be Sworn in on the Steps of the Capitol
1829 – Andrew Jackson is the first president to be inaugurated on the East Portico of the U.S. Capitol, facing the Library of Congress and Supreme Court. In 1981, Ronald Reagan became the first President inaugurated on the West Terrace, in front of the National Mall.
Last to Wear a Hat
1961 – John F. Kennedy was the last president to wear the traditional stovetop hat to his inauguration.
First Inaugural Poet
1961 – Robert Frost recited his poem, The Gift Outright at John F. Kennedy's inauguration. He was 87 years old at the time.
First Parade
1805 – Thomas Jefferson's second inauguration hosted the first inaugural parade.
First Inaugural Ball
1809 – James and Dolly Madison attend the first inaugural ball held on the same day as the inauguration. Tickets were $4 each.
First Inauguration in Wartime
1813 – Only a few months after declaring war on the British in 1812, James Madison delivers an address criticizing Great Britain. One year later, the Capitol would be set ablaze by the British Army.
Longest Inaugural Address
1841 – Without a hat, coat, or gloves, William Henry Harrison famously gave the longest inaugural address ever at 10,000 words long in the midst of a snowstorm. He died one month later from pneumonia contracted on Inauguration Day.
First Broadcast
1925 - Calvin Coolidge's inauguration was the first to be broadcast nationally over radio waves. In 1949, President Harry S. Truman was the first to deliver his inaugural address to a televised audience; Kennedy would be the first to do so on color television in 1961. In 1997, Bill Clinton's second inauguration was the first to be streamed live over the Internet.
First Recorded for a Newsreel
1929 – Herbert Hoover's inauguration was the first recorded for a newsreel. In 1897, William McKinley's address was the first to be recorded by a motion picture camera.
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Comments (41)
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Is it true James Madison did not use a bible at his inauguration?
Posted by Macline on March 18,2013 | 02:35 AM
the answer to why 44 presidents but 56 inaugural balls...some presidents were re-elected....Reagan was the 40th president, he had two inaugural balls. Obama is 44th and he has had 2 balls. Roosevelt would have had 4. Then there are some presidents who never had a ball because they took over for a president who left office before their term had ended.
Posted by Tom Mozitis on February 10,2013 | 07:57 PM
I enjoyed this article while waiting to go to work. I will always stop what I am doing when it comes to national geographic and the articles about history. I have three favoretes, they are ancient Egypt , early Anerica, and WWII. The latter one for which my father faught in. Keep them coming!
Posted by Clinton Buckley on May 29,2012 | 10:59 AM
When did President Reagan wave during the parade at the Dixon, Il people that attended the ceremonies?
Posted by renie palen on February 5,2012 | 06:26 AM
Why is there 44 presidents and 56 inaugural balls? I have posed this question to several people and no one has an answer.
Posted by Ruth on July 6,2011 | 10:01 PM
Currently, the Library of Congress website posted at http://memory.loc.gov:8081/ammem/pihtml/pinotable.html states that: September 20, 1881, and September 22, 1881 -- Chester A. Arthur
- First time the oath of office has been taken in the Vice President's Room of the Capitol.
- Two ex-presidents (Grant and Hayes) were present at this ceremony.
- Pronounced the words "So help me, God" after taking the oath; other presidents have followed this example.
Posted by Ray Soller on November 24,2010 | 07:45 PM
How many people watched JFK's inauguration on television?
Posted by Jane on July 22,2010 | 11:46 PM
In answer to one of the questions above, the first televised inauguration was January 20, 1953 when Dwight D. Eisenhower took office the first time.
Posted by Janet Zabala on March 2,2010 | 12:36 PM
I heard Sally Hemings made a dress for someone for the Inaugural Ball. If this information is correct, can you tell me who and when.
Posted by Brenda Massey on January 25,2010 | 01:12 AM
I want to frame a presidential inauguration invitation for Pres Bush Bush and Vice President Cheney.
Were there official colors?
Posted by Barbara Rothstein on October 20,2009 | 07:21 AM
What inauguration was the first to include a sign language interpreter?
Posted by Doyle Petty on August 19,2009 | 07:14 AM
i have asked who was the very first president of the united states to change the time. i did not get an answer. can you tell me?
Posted by evelyn scott on March 12,2009 | 07:47 PM
Who was and is the only American Indian Vice-President? I believe he was elected in the early 1800's. Please give some history; e.g. tribe, term, party, platform, accomplishments,etc.
Posted by Sylvester/carol sahme on February 24,2009 | 08:25 PM
What mid twentieth century president marched in the inaugural parade of William McKinley?
Posted by Kevin O'Brien on January 28,2009 | 09:38 PM
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