Presidential Inauguration & 20th Amendment (1930s)
Prior to the passage of the twentieth amendment in the early 1930a, inauguration day was always March 4, the anniversary of the Constitution first taking affect in 1789. The twentieth amendment changed the date of inauguration day to January 20, unless that falls on a Sunday, in which case the date is moved to January 21. The following is taken from The Times, San Mateo, California, 9 Jan 1937, Saturday, page 16:
The presidential oath of office stipulates, in Article II, Section I: "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.'"
The second inauguration of Franklin D. Roosevelt (32d president) would be the first to take place on January 20th, 1937, the new inaugural date, as prescribed by the 20th ("Lame Duck") Constitutional Amendment. Roosevelt's inauguration would follow in general form the first inauguration in the United States, that of George Washington, in 1789.
While the first presidential inauguration was held in New York City, the second and third were held in Philadelphia. Beginning with the fourth inauguration, that of Thomas Jefferson, they had been held in Washington, D.C.
Washington, Jackson and most early presidents proceeded tot he nation's capital for their inauguration by carriage, stage, boat or horseback. Later presidents had used the trains. Abraham Lincoln spent two weeks en route by train from his home in Illinois to Washington, the major part of the time having been used for speech making tot he thousands of admiring citizens who greeted him every day. No president has yet traveled to his inauguration by airplane.
Inaugural visitors watched Washington and most presidents up to and including Wilson ride in the inaugural procession from their place of residence to the capitol building in a carriage. Thomas Jefferson walked to the capitol because bad storms and ice in the rivers prevented the delivery of his horses and carriage.
President William H. Harrison rode a horse in his inaugural procession. The automobile made its first appearance as the president's inaugural vehicle in 1921, when President Harding rode in a touring model. After 132 years of carriages this was an unprecedented event.
From the time of the first inauguration up to and including the inauguration of Woodrow Wilson, only a few people close to the inaugural stand could actually hear the president's voice during the ceremonies. In 1921 a loud speaker was installed for president Harding's use and his voice reached a greater number. Calvin Coolidge was one of the most quiet presidents, yet the number of people reached by his voice broke all previous records, as his words were heard throughout America by means of the first inaugural radio broadcast. The fourth inaugural broadcast would be heard in the homes throughout the nation on January 20th, when President Roosevelt's inaugural speech would be sent over the air.
The first inauguration was the only one that was ever late or postponed, except when the 4th of March (1789) had occurred on Sunday the president had taken the oath of office that day, and the public ceremonies had been held on March 5th.
It seems the first inaugural ceremonies were set for March 4, 1789, but because Congressmen were late in convening to count the electoral ballots, returns of the election were not announced until April 6th. Then it was an eight day journey from New York, the government headquarters, to Mount Vernon to notify George Washington of his newly elected office. Since it required more than a week for the president-elect to reach New York, the inauguration could not be held before April 30th, 1789.
Washington's journey to New York was virtually one long procession. Everywhere people met him, cheered and made merry. Flowers were strewn in his path, wreaths were place over his shoulders, pretty girls sang and recited poetry in his honor.
Arriving at the Hudson River, Washington crossed to New York City in a barge beautifully decorated in red and blue, the oarsmen being dressed in white. Other vessels in the harbor were gayly adorned with flags and bright colors.
| View or Add Comments (0 Comments)
| Receive
updates ( subscribers) |
Unsubscribe
