Next Monday, January 20, 2025, is the 60th Presidential Inauguration, where President-Elect Trump and Vice President-Elect Vance will be sworn in. This time tested tradition is a reaffirmation of our Democracy as a new President takes up the mantle of service for the American people. The Inauguration has a storied and important history.
After the ratification of the Constitution on June 21, 1788, the Congress of the Confederation set March 4, 1789, as the start of the new government. After the Electoral College met in the fall, it was clear that General Washington would be the first President, but logistics proved to make this difficult. Congress could not convene to count the Electoral College votes, so the beginning of the term was delayed. Once Congress did certify the election Washington began to travel to New York for his inauguration on April 14. On April 30, he and a group of followers traveled to Federal Hall at noon to be received by the Congress and inaugurated. As there were no Supreme Court Justices at the time, Washington was sworn in on the balcony of Federal Hall by Chancellor of New York, Robert Livingston. Masonry had an important role in this inauguration with St. John’s Lodge No. 1 of New York providing the Bible that was used. Thereafter, he gave an address to the Congress and attended a church service with them. Many of these traditions still stand today.
The following inaugurations were extremely important for the young country. In 1797, John Adams succeeded the presidency after Washington decided to retire. This was the first time since 1724 that the head of state transferred peacefully while the predecessor was alive. Arguably the most important inauguration was in 1801. For the first time the presidency was to transfer between parties. The distraught former President did not attend the ceremony and left Washington D.C. in the middle of the night. Once day broke, military officers fired to signal daybreak and Jefferson left his lodging for the Capitol dressed as a regular citizen. Jefferson’s inauguration was also the first where the President had to unify the country after a bitter campaign and the first with a military band performing.
This year’s inauguration is a return to normal ceremonies COVID-19 pandemic caused planners to scale back in-person activities in 2021 for President Biden and Vice President Harris’ inauguration. It is the first time since President Clinton’s second inauguration in 1997 that it lands on MLK Day, and the second time someone is inaugurated to non-consecutive terms. The inauguration is a highly visible reminder of American democracy, but there is so much that goes unnoticed that helps maintain our history of being a country ruled by the people through free and fair elections.
