Everything Everywhere Daily

Presidential Inaugurations: The Peaceful Transition of Power (Encore)

Jan 19, 2025

Discover the fascinating history behind presidential inaugurations in the United States! Learn why January 20th is the chosen date and how the inaugural traditions have evolved since George Washington. Explore key milestones, such as varying oaths and weather extremes during ceremonies. Delve into the transition from classic to modern formats, highlighting the rich customs that have developed over centuries. It's a deep dive into the peaceful transfer of power and the traditions that make these events uniquely American!

09:54

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Quick takeaways

The transition of presidential power has evolved over time, with key changes like the inauguration date moving from March 4th to January 20th.

Traditions such as using a Bible for the oath and memorable inaugural moments highlight the rich history and adaptability of the ceremony.

Deep dives

The History of Inauguration Day

Inauguration Day marks the beginning of a new presidential term when the President of the United States takes the oath of office. Originally held on March 4th, this date was chosen to allow time for incoming presidents to travel to Washington, especially in an era when travel was slow. The switch to January 20th was made with the ratification of the 20th Amendment, with Franklin Roosevelt being the first president to be inaugurated on this date in 1937. This change not only condensed the time between election and inauguration but also often exposed presidents to much colder weather during the ceremonies.

Intro

4min

Historical Traditions and Evolution of Presidential Inaugurations

4min

Traditions and Milestones of Presidential Inaugurations

2min

Every four years on January 20th, the United States holds a ceremony for the inauguration of the President of the United States. There are traditions for the inauguration, some of which have been passed down since the very first.

Why do we use January 20th as the date, and how did many of these traditions get started?

Learn more about the history and traditions of the Presidential Inauguration on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily.

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