March 4, 2019 (Monday)
Our first president, George Washington, then a 57-year-old general, was sworn-in on a clear and cool day from the balcony of the Federal Hall in New York on April 30, 1789. Washington’s second inauguration was held on March 4, 1793 and incoming presidents had their ceremonies on the spring date for many years.
Today, March 4, was Presidential Inauguration Day in the United States from 1793 to 1937. The inauguration date was changed and Franklin D. Roosevelt was the last to take the oath of office on March 4, in 1933 and the first to take it on the new date, January 20, in 1937. The lengthy time between election in November and inauguration in March allowed time for the incoming president to appoint his cabinet and prepare for the presidency. Technology and easier travel created opportunity to shorten the “lame duck” period by about 6 weeks, and this was accomplished by amending the Constitution.
March 4 was known as Inauguration Day for 140 years, so this date will always be a big part of our national history.
The next election will take place in about 19 months, with the inauguration following 11 weeks afterward. Candidates are announcing their intention to run for president. So far, only Democrats have announced, as far as I know. President Trump has made it clear he intends to run and win.
The President is not required to take the oath of office with his hand on a Bible, but George Washington insisted on it. All but two presidents (John Quincy Adams and Theodore Roosevelt) have followed his example . The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court administers the oath of office, but, like the Bible, that is a tradition and not required by the Constitution. Many of us remember when Lyndon Johnson was sworn in, the oath was administered aboard Air Force One, in Dallas, by Judge Sarah T. Hughes. Calvin Coolidge’s father administered the oath of office to him in Vermont, using the family Bible. There were other exceptions when the normal dates could not be used due to the death of the president and the unforeseen swearing in of the successor.
Our government is guided by the Constitution, and we live by the rule of law. It is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. In my opinion, we would all feel better about being Americans if we would just go about our business as we pray for our leaders. If we must insist on talking politics, let it be with courtesy, respect, kindness and grace.