PresidentialInauguration

Barack Obama44th President

United States of AmericaJanuary 20, 2009

Tuesday, January 20th 8/7cIn an effort to make this inaugural celebration accessible to all Americans, President Barack Obama will host the first-ever "Neighborhood Inaugural Ball" tonight.

Inaugural History

• For more than 200 years America’s citizens have witnessed the Inauguration ceremonies of the President and Vice President of the United States.

• From George Washington’s Inauguration, in New York City, in 1789, to today, as we prepare for the 56th quadrennial Presidential Inauguration, the swearing-in ceremony represents both national renewal and continuity of leadership.

Morning Worship Service • On March 4, 1933, at 10:15 a.m., prior to his

swearing-in ceremony, Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt attended a church service at St. John's Episcopal Church, next to the White House. They did the same at all of Roosevelt's Inaugurations. His Inauguration Day worship service set a precedent that has been followed by Presidents ever since.

• Franklin Roosevelt was not the first President to attend church on Inauguration Day, however. In 1789, George Washington attended a service at St. Paul's Chapel in New York City immediately following his swearing-in ceremony.

• Almost all Presidents since Washington have placed their hand on a Bible when taking the oath of office. And all Presidents have included some reference to the Almighty in their Inaugural addresses.

St. John’s Episcopal ChurchAttended by Roosevelt, Truman, Reagan, H.W.

Bush, and W. Bush

Kennedy Shakes hands with Father Richard Casey after attending Mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

Procession to the Capitol • After morning worship service, the President-elect, VP-

elect, and their spouses go to the White House. After a brief meeting, the President-elect and the outgoing President will drive together to the Capitol for the swearing-in ceremonies. This tradition has endured since 1837, when Martin Van Buren and Andrew Jackson rode together in a carriage.

• Although most presidents rode to their Inaugurations in a carriage (or later, an automobile), Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson both walked to their swearing-in ceremonies.

• Lincoln did not join the procession to the Capitol for his second Inauguration in 1865. He had gone to the Capitol early that morning to sign last-minute legislation. The parade proceeded without him, and even made history as African Americans marched for the first time.

• Today, the Presidential procession to the Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony follows a protocol, based on the evolving traditions of past Inaugurations.

Taft and Teddy Roosevelt driving to the Capitol, 1909

Herbert Hoover and Franklin Roosevelt riding together on Inauguration Day.

Schedule of Events 1-20-09

• 10:00 AM Preliminary festivities begin, including music by The United States Marine Band, The San Francisco Boys Chorus & Girls Chorus.

• 11:30 AM Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks: Senator Dianne FeinsteinInvocation: Dr. Rick WarrenAretha Franklin will sing.

• VP-elect Joe Biden will be sworn into office.

• Music composed by John Williams and performed by Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Gabriela Montero, and Anthony McGill.

Schedule of Events (continued)…• 12:00 Noon As specified by the Constitution (20th

Amendment), terms of office begin and end at 12:00 noon on January 20. Barack Obama will take the oath of office, which is this 36-word, statement: I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.

• Barack Obama will give his inaugural address, speaking to the world, for the first time, as President of the U.S. A parade follows down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House. The start time has not yet been announced.

• Many inaugural balls are held around Washington, DC. They generally take place in the evening; times vary. New this year is the Commander-in-Chief’s Ball, for men and women in uniform only.