Inauguration Day
Inauguration Day for the Most Powerful Man in the World
When the Commander-In-Chief and Head of the United States is sworn in and takes his oath of office, it is the Inaugural or Inauguration Day. The celebration usually encompasses 10 days: 5 days of preparation and 5 days of rest. Usually, Inauguration Day happens every 4 years except during the time of President Washington when it was held on April 30, 1979. In the 20th amendment of the US Constitution, noon of January 20th was declared as the new beginning of the Office of the President and his Vice-President. Thus, the next Inauguration Day will happen on January 20, 2009.
Who and When
The Armed Forces is expected to participate since it is also their Commander-In-Chief’s day. The ceremonies are held at the steps of Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. The Vice-President starts the process of oath taking. He recites the allegiance to the United States and his people and invokes the Almighty’s help.
At exactly 12 noon, the President is sworn in. The Chief Justice of the United States administers the oath. The new president recites the oath lifted from Article II of the United States Constitution.
The Rite-ful End
President George Washington is said to be the first President to use the phrase “So Help Me God” but there’s a lack of evidence to prove this. However, the next presidents followed suite. President Roosevelt concluded the rites with “and thus I do swear”.
The Inaugural Address
After the oath, Hail to the Chief is sung followed by a 21-gun salute. Then the President delivers his speech called the Inaugural address. This speech will become a landmark for the new administration and will detail its plans for the country. If the ceremony falls on a Sunday, this is usually held through a private ceremony. However, a public ceremony follows the next day.
Luncheon and Other Traditions
The United States Congress holds a luncheon in honor of the new chief executives – The President and the Vice President. It is said that other than addressing the State of the Union, this is the only time that the two houses of Congress and the Executive Department can be found in one place.
One other tradition that began since the second Inaugural of President Thomas Jefferson is when the president is paraded along Pennsylvania Avenue from Capitol Hills to the Whitehouse. Ronald Reagan declined this tradition due to very cold temperatures. Jimmy Carter thought to start a new one; instead of parading in a car, he walked from Capitol Hill to the White House. However, walking to the White House did not become norm for new presidents due to security reasons of the succeeding presidents.
Inauguration Day is exciting to the new government executives but frustrating security-wise to those who are tasked with the responsibility of protecting these incoming executives. In every activity that requires the security of the President and his Vice President, constituents should bear in mind that the security of the Head of State should not be compromised even as they exercise their right to freedom of expression.