Presidential inaugurations showcase America's resilience. It's our history. | Opinion
Inaugurations are moments when we witness the transfer or continuation of power. It's a hallmark of our democracy.
The weather-driven decision to move Donald Trump’s second inaugural ceremony inside the Capitol reminds us that the road to the White House is paved with traditions that change in intriguing ways through America’s history.
The second inauguration of President Ronald Reagan − in 1985 − in which I was honored to have a supporting role also had to be quickly moved indoors when thermometers plunged.
Before the ratification of the 20th Amendment, inaugurations traditionally took place in March to allow sufficient time for vote counting and travel to the nation's capital. That timing reflected a bygone era when horse-drawn transportation and manual tabulation dictated the pace of governance.
The shift to a January date in 1937 reminds us that traditions adapt, reflecting the needs of the moment while preserving core principles of democracy. The March weather wasn’t always a lot better, though!
Inauguration trivia reveals a trove of presidential facts
On a blustery March 4, 1841, on the East Portico of the Capitol, William Henry Harrison gave the longest inaugural address in history. Afterward, the new president, a former Army major general, rode back to the White House on horseback, without a hat or overcoat. Harrison died a month later, and his death has been long blamed on his inauguration.
John Tyler then became the first vice president to assume the office of the president upon the death or resignation of the previous chief executive. Tyler took the oath, though not with the full inaugural trappings.
The inaugural address of the nation’s first president, George Washington in 1789, was notably brief but deeply reflective.
Washington expressed gratitude for the public’s trust in him to lead, but he also acknowledged that it would take many others – representatives, senators and citizens – working together to safeguard liberty and prosperity.
Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address, in 1865 amid the turmoil of the Civil War, sought to heal a fractured nation with its famous appeal for “malice toward none; with charity for all.”
Presidents bring their personalities to their inaugurations
Even seemingly minor inaugural moments have carried deep significance, shaped by historical context and presidential personalities.
Thomas Jefferson walked to his 1801 inauguration from his boarding house, emphasizing simplicity and a rejection of pomp and circumstance.
Inaugural balls became a hot ticket when the first was held in 1809 to honor President James Madison.
Andrew Jackson was known for opening the White House to all visitors; his inauguration party at the White House lasted for hours as throngs of people from packed streets pushed inside for a rowdy celebration replete with smashed furniture. It took a whole week to scrub and clean the executive mansion.
Inaugural parades have varied in appearance and size over the years, but one of the most memorable instances took place in 1829, when an enthusiastic crowd followed Jackson down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House after his swearing-in ceremony.
The parade has since developed into a formal, often lengthy procession reviewed by the incoming president from a stand in front of the White House. Helen Taft, in 1909, was the first woman to accompany her husband back to the White House as first lady.
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s unprecedented four inaugurations during a time of economic depression and global conflict reflected the resilience of both the office and the nation.
President Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter’s decision in 1977 to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue during their inaugural parade set a tone for the new administration of humility and connection that resonated so strongly with the American people that it has since been echoed by other presidents, becoming its own tradition in the process – leaving the Secret Service and security teams to iron out new wrinkles.
And another tradition evolved when ceremonies for President Reagan’s first swearing-in ceremony, in 1981, were moved from the east side of the Capitol to the grand west front, where both the Capitol Dome and National Mall have since served as majestic backdrops – and which allows more members of the public to attend.
Inaugurations let us reflect on American history
These ceremonies are not just about continuity; they are also about connection. They remind us that as the commander in chief transitions from the swearing-in to the White House ‒ the People’s House ‒ it is larger than any individual or presidency. Its walls bear silent witness to history, moments of profound triumph, challenge and transformation.
Understanding this history is key to appreciating not just the White House but also the country it represents. As first lady Jacqueline Kennedy said, the White House should “reflect the many different periods in our country’s history.”
Inaugurations help us do that.
Presidential inaugurations and the new transitions they represent transcend politics. They remind us that democracy is not a static institution but a living, evolving journey. The pageantry and symbolism of these ceremonies are moments when we witness the transfer or continuation of power, a hallmark of our democracy, which President John F. Kennedy captured perfectly in his 1961 inaugural address: “We observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom – symbolizing an end as well as a beginning – signifying renewal as well as change.”
Each inaugural moment becomes a thread in the larger fabric of our nation’s story. As President Reagan said at that 1985 inauguration, “History is a ribbon, always unfurling. History is a journey. And as we continue our journey, we think of those who traveled before us.”
Inaugurations, like the White House itself, are an enduring and evolving presence, a reflection of the resilience, imagination and unity that define the American experience – what was before and what is to come.
Stewart D. McLaurin is president of the White House Historical Association, a private nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded by first lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961, and is director of The People’s House: A White House Experience multimedia educational center and museum.