Inauguration firsts & traditions: Part 1
In America, the day of our presidential oath-taking is called “Inauguration Day,” when a president is sworn into office, making an oath or affirmation, required by the U.S. Constitution.
The day of inauguration is held on January 20th, or 21st, if the 20th falls on a Sunday. In this case, a private ceremony is held on Sunday, and a more elaborate one is held the next day. If a president dies in office, a private ceremony is held on that particular day for the incoming president.
In 1792, March 4th became the official day; in 1804, the 12th Amendment placed it in the Constitution. Again, in 1933, the 20th Amendment moved the day from March 4th to January 20th. Incidentally, the change had nothing to do with the weather.
Although the above regulations are required, over the years various traditions arose making this simple swearing-in ceremony more elaborate with speeches, parades, balls, and more.
One such tradition, not mandated by the Constitution, is the use of a Bible. It is not known if some of the early presidents used a Bible, as they were not always recorded. Most presidents place their left hand on the Bible, while their right hand is raised. Some kiss the Bible. Some Bibles are opened at random, while others to meaningful scripture. Historical Bibles are used, as well as, family Bibles. Futhermore, “So help me God,” is usually added, but it is not required.
Swearing oaths is an ancient custom. Ancient Romans swore oaths to their gods and emperors. Oath taking is mentioned in the early Bible days of the Hebrews. It was a Jewish custom, in order to confirm an oath, to lay their hands on the Book of Law. When Christianity was established, oaths were confirmed on the Bible.
The following are some firsts, traditions, and interesting things from some of our presidents’ inaugural history.
George Washington not only had to borrow money to attend his own inauguration, but he was a month late in getting there, due to weather conditions. On top of that, prior to oath taking, it was discovered they had no Bible. Chancellor Robert Livingston, who administered the oath (There was no Supreme Court at this time.), a Mason himself, quickly summoned someone to the nearby Masonic Lodge, to borrow one. Once the Bible arrived, Washington placed his hand on the Bible, received the oath, and then kissed the Bible. Many claim Washington was the first to use “So help me God,” at the end of the oath, but the U.S. Capitol Historical Society states there is no such evidence.
Although Washington established the tradition of an inaugural address, his 2nd was the shortest — 133 words. He was inaugurated in two places — the first in New York City on April 30, 1789, and in Philadelphia on March 4, 1793.
The first president to be inaugurated in Washington, D.C., was Thomas Jefferson. In 1801, he was the first to walk to his ceremony, first to have the Marine Band play; first to have a newspaper print his address, first to have his predecessor, John Adams, refuse to attend the ceremony. During his 2nd inauguration, in 1805, he was the first to ride horseback, instead of a carriage; this procession started the tradition of the Inaugural Parade. An interesting aside to this is that both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, died on July 4th, 1826, the 50th anniversary of our country.
Due to a small feud between the Senate and the House of Representatives — over seating arrangements for the ceremony — in 1817, James Monroe, other than Washington’s oath on the portico of New York’s Federal Hall, was the first to hold the swearing-in ceremony outside. At his 2nd inauguration, in 1821, he was the first to have it to fall on a Sunday, thus moving it to Monday, which set the precedent for other presidents. Incidentally, Monroe, in 1831, also died on July 4th.
John Quincy Adams, was the first president whose father was a previous president. Although JQA was a devout Christian, he took his oath of office by placing his hand on a book that contained the laws of the U.S., on March 4, 1825. In his diary entry, he noted it was the Constitution he promised to protect and defend. He felt the Bible was for religious purposes only.
Like his father, John Adams, JQ A’s did not attend his successor, Andrew Jackson’s swearing-in ceremony in 1829, due to a bitter campaign. There were no formal ceremonies planned due to Jackson’s wife’s death a few months earlier. That didn’t’ stop the mob that swarmed the White House reception, destroying rugs and furniture, costing quite a bit of damage.
Martin Van Buren was the first to be born in America, and the first to ask his predecessor to ride with him to the capitol on March 4, 1837. This tradition became customary for the outgoing president to sit on the right to the Capitol, and the new president sat on the right upon returning to the White House after the ceremony.
On March 4, 1841, William Henry Harrison was the first president to arrive by train for his inauguration. He holds the record for having the longest speech — 8,445 words, but his term in office was only one month. Even though it was a cold, blustery day, he refused to wear a hat and coat. A few weeks later, he had a cold, developed pneumonia, and died.
James Knox Polk, was the first to have the Marine Band play “Hail to the Chief,” and the first to have the ceremony covered by telegraph and illustrated in a newspaper, on March 4, 1845.
Zachary Taylor first found out he was nominated for president by reading a newspaper. It seems, he had earlier received notice, but he refused to pay “postage due!” He had to reschedule his inauguration to a Monday, March 5, 1849, because the 4th fell on a Sunday. To be continued ...