As we near the presidential inauguration next Monday, it bears noting a bit of history and changes that have marked the event throughout our nation’s existence.
Starting in 1789, U.S. presidents have been sworn into office following their election victory. George Washington was the only one inaugurated in April (30) for his first term. From 1793 through 1933, the event took place on March 4, or the fifth if the fourth was on a Sunday.
However, starting in 1933, with the Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution, the inauguration is now held Jan. 20 (unless on a Sunday). The main reason for the change was to reduce the time a “lame duck” president may remain in office after an election in which he was defeated.

Inauguration facts
William Henry Harrison, who was 68 years old in 1841, was the oldest president ever elected until Ronald Reagan, 69, in 1980. Harrison delivered the longest inaugural address to date (8,445 words) on a cold, rainy day and refused to wear a jacket – in part to prove he was healthy and capable at his age. He subsequently developed pneumonia and died a month later on April 4.
George Washington’s first inaugural speech was the shortest, at a mere 134 words.
On Jan. 20, 1985, the temperature in Washington, D.C. was 7 degrees Fahrenheit. This prompted Reagan’s second inauguration to be held privately inside the White House, with a more public ceremony the following day in the Capitol Rotunda.
Six outgoing presidents have, for one reason or another, not attended the inauguration of their successor, most recently Donald Trump in 2021.
Generally, the Chief Justice of the United States swears in the president. There have been numerous occasions where this has not occurred – most often in the case of a president dying in office, which has happened six times. Chief Justice John Marshall has the distinction of swearing in the most presidents at nine, with Roger Taney coming in second with seven. Former president William Howard Taft, who then became a Chief Justice, swore in Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover.
Since 1937, the inauguration ceremony has included at least one prayer. Six ceremonies, beginning with John F. Kennedy’s in 1961, have incorporated a poem reading.
In 1977, Jimmy Carter who recently passed away at 100 years old, became the first president to walk more than a mile to the White House for the inauguration. Twice, the parade has not been held: In 1945, during World War II and in 1985 due to the excessively cold temperature of 7 degrees.
So, embrace an honored tradition and enjoy the inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20, at noon. You will be witnessing history.