January 20, 2025 is the date for the United States presidential inauguration of Donald J. Trump as the 47th President. It also happens to be Martin Luther King Jr Day, which means many have the day off work or school. Although I've watched previous inaugurations on TV, I couldn't recall whether they took place on a third Monday of January, or a specific date in January, so I did the same thing I used to do as a homeschool mom . . . I did a few minutes worth of research, and wrote about it!
The date for the presidential inauguration was set as January 20th back in 1933. Prior to that, March 4th had been the date for this ceremony. A longer timeframe following election day was necessary so that the votes could be tabulated and reported and results ratified, since it involved a lot of travel. As you might imagine, technology advances allowed reporting and traveling to happen much more quickly, so less time was required. In addition, on a few occasions that lengthy lame-duck period caused significant problems. Notably, following the 1860 election, seven states left the Union earning that time period the nickname "Secession Winter". Abraham Lincoln was the President-elect but had not taken office, and had no authority to take action, and outgoing President James Buchanan declined to take any action, and left the issue for the new administration. During the Depression, President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt had no authority to implement his promised New Deal, and the already troubled stock markets reflected the extra months of uncertainty.
The 20th Amendment was ratified on January 23, 1933, and established January 20th as Inauguration Day, and January 3rd as the first meeting of the new Congress. So when FDR was re-elected, his 1937 inauguration took place on January 20th.
Did you know? The only part of the Inauguration Day ceremonies and festivities that is required by the Constitution is the recitation of the presidential oath of office. It's one of three oath or affirmation clauses in the Constitution, and it's the only one with specified wording. The Constitution does not specify who should administer this oath, but with only a few exceptions, this duty has been carried out by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation: ― "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." ~United States Constitution, Article II, Section One, Clause 8
The Vice President, who serves as President of the Senate, is sworn in during the same ceremony, immediately before the President takes the oath of office. This oath of office is the same one sworn by senators, representatives, and other government officials.
Everything else is tradition! Including the location of this swearing-in ceremony. The news has been buzzing about the decision to move the 2025 Inauguration indoors due to the extremely cold weather, but there is no mandate to hold the event in front of the United States Capitol. The west front of the Capitol facing the National Mall, with the Washington Memorial and Lincoln Memorial providing a backdrop, has been a preferred location since the 1981 inauguration of Ronald Reagan.
From 1829 through 1977, most swearing-in ceremonies were held at the Capitol's east portico, on a platform over the steps. They've also been held inside the Old Senate Chamber, in the House of Representatives, and the Capitol Rotunda. The Rotunda will be the location for President Trump's inauguration in 2025, as it was for President Reagan's second term when the weather was also extremely cold.
Other Inauguration Day traditions:
A joint procession to the Capitol by the outgoing and incoming presidents. While this has been a tradition most years since 1837 when Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren shared a carriage ride (Van Buren had been Jackson's VP), it comes as no surprise that at least a few of those shared rides seemed uncomfortable! A few presidents even skipped the ceremony altogether.
The honorary departure of the outgoing president. It used to be that outgoing presidents accompanied the incoming presidents back to the White House following the inauguration. In 1909 Theodore Roosevelt departed for his home immediately after the swearing in of his successor, and a new tradition was begun. Since 1977 the tradition was for the new President and First Lady to accompany their predecessors to the presidential helicopter and the short flight to Joint Base Andrews.
The inaugural parade. Originally a ceremonial escort to the swearing-in, this shifted to a parade after the ceremony in 1841.
The inaugural luncheon. The tradition of the outgoing president hosting the new president at a White House luncheon following the swearing in goes back to the 1800s. Since 1953, the new president has been the guest of honor at a Capitol luncheon hosted by senators and representatives.
Inaugural Balls. When George Washington first took office, a gala event was held in his honor a week later. The first formal inauguration day ball was held for James Madison in 1809.
A letter to the Presidential successor. This modern tradition began in 1989 when Ronald Reagan left a humorous encouraging note to George H.W. Bush. A letter of congratulations and encouragement has been left on White House stationery for the incoming president.
Sources include: History.com (re: date), History.com (re: tradition)
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