The day traditionally features a solemn swearing-in, an inaugural address, parades and fancy parties far into the night. As President Obama takes his second oath of office today Obama inauguration theme faith in America's future, test your knowledge of Inauguration Day facts about past presidents.
Inaugural Day addresses
It has always been tradition that the new president deliver an address on Inauguration Day after taking the presidential oath of office. This custom started with the first inauguration on April 30, 1789 federal hall in new york city. George Washington, shortest inaugural address 135 words, William harry Harrison, longest inaugural address 8445 words, Barack Obama inaugural address 2401 words.
Inauguration Day weather
The forecast for President Obama's Inauguration Day is for a typical, moderately cold day in Washington, D.C. washington dc weather, but not all inaugurations have had ordinary weather. William Taft inauguration snow storm, Taft inauguration 10 inches snow, Franklin d Roosevelt inauguration record rain, Franklin d Roosevelt inaugural 1.77 inches rain, Ronald Reagan coldest inauguration day on record, Ronald Reagan 1985 inauguration temperature 7 degrees, Ronald Reagan warmest inauguration on record, Ronald Reagan warmest inauguration 55 degrees.
Memorable inauguration quotes
"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds…" Abraham Lincoln.
"And so my fellow Americans: Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country." John F Kennedy, John F Kennedy inaugural speech 1961.
"We must act on what we know. I take as my guide the hope of a saint: In crucial things, unity; in important things, diversity; in all things generosity." George h w bush, George h.w. bush inaugural speech 1989.
"There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America." Bill Clinton, Bill Clinton inaugural speech 1993.
Oath of office
Nine vice presidents have taken the oath unexpectedly after the president's term ended due to death, assassination or resignation.
John Tyler – William harry Harrison, William harry Harrison died of pneumonia
Millard Fillmore – Zachary Taylor, Zachary Taylor thought to have died from gastroenteritis
Andrew Johnson – Abraham Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln assassinated 1865
Chester A. Arthur – James A Garfield, James a Garfield assassinated in 1881
Theodore Roosevelt – William Mckinley, William Mckinley assassinated 1901
Calvin Coolidge – Warren g Harding, Warren g Harding suffered heart attack
Harry S. Truman – Franklin d Roosevelt, Franklin d Roosevelt died cerebral hemorrhage
Lyndon B. Johnson – John f Kennedy, John f Kennedy assassinated 1963
Gerald Ford – Richard Nixon, Richard Nixon resigned 1974
