Only the oath is enshrined in the constitution when the US president is inaugurated.
However, over the centuries, numerous events have developed into traditions.
An overview of the procedure, the place and the background of the swearing-in of the new President of the United States.
The 46th
President of the United States will take
office
on January 20, 2021
.
The oath of office for the
inauguration of the US President
is enshrined in the constitution and follows the wording of
George Washington
from April 30, 1789.
The swearing-in ceremony begins at 12 noon sharp on the steps of the Capitol.
Washington - The 46th
US President will be
sworn in
on January 20, 2021
.
The ceremony has been held in Washington since 1801.
Previously, the Federal in New York was the
location of
the action.
January 20th was first set as a date in 1937.
Until then, the president elected in November took his
oath
on March 4th
.
Inauguration of the US President: Background and Dates
The start of a new term for the
US President
is traditionally accompanied by celebrations.
According to the first paragraph of the 20th Amendment to the American Constitution, these begin at 12 noon on January 20th in the year following the election.
The
oath
is preceded by the introduction of the vice-president.
This is to ensure that he will take over the post in the event of the sudden death of the elected president.
Inauguration of the US President: Traditional Elements
Only the taking of the
oath
is constitutionally required for the president
.
Subsequently, he is the lawful President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.
Over the years, however, a short ceremony turned into a major event lasting several days with a fixed
sequence
:
church service
Tea ceremony
Oath taking
Inaugural Address
parade
Balls
Inauguration of the US President: Traditions Throughout the Centuries
With almost every
inauguration of a US president
, new events were added that became traditions.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
introduced morning worship in 1933.
Since
Rutherford B. Hayes in
1877, old and new incumbents have traditionally met for tea.
Then they go together to take the oath in front of the Capitol.
Since the first inauguration of a US president, he has given a
speech
when he took office
.
Four did without it:
John Tyler, Millard Fillmore, Andrew Johnson,
and
Chester A. Arthur.
They all succeeded a head of state who died during his tenure.
Since
Thomas Jefferson's
second inauguration
on March 4, 1805, the parade has established itself from the Capitol via Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.
Because the weather
did not allow for the outdoor celebrations
at the second inauguration of
Ronald Reagan in
1985, it was moved directly to the official residence of the President.
The parade was therefore canceled.
The traditional balls have been held since the fourth President
James Madison's
oath
in 1809.
Woodrow Wilson
renounced it for the
first time
during
Prohibition
, and his successors followed his example.
Harry Truman
reintroduced them - the number of balls has increased steadily since then.
For Americans, the inauguration of the US President is a major national event.
On January 20 at 12 o'clock they stop their work, up to two million people make a pilgrimage to Washington.
Inauguration of the US President: The Oath
The
oath
has a fixed wording, to which every president so far has added a "So help me God" ("So help me God"):
"I (Name) 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."
"I, [Name], solemnly swear [or affirm] that I will faithfully carry out my duties as President of the United States and that I will uphold, protect, and defend the United States Constitution to the best of my ability."
The possibility of replacing the religious “swear” with an “affirm” is made possible if one's convictions prohibit the elected president from taking an oath.