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Inauguration Day is
January 20, every 4
years after the
U.S. presidential
election. It is the
day on which the newly
elected President of the
United States is sworn
in and takes office.
If January 20 falls on a
Sunday, the President is
usually administered the
oath of office in a
private ceremony on that
day, followed by a
public ceremony the
following day.
Inauguration Day is a
Federal holiday observed
by federal employees who
work in and around the
District of Columbia.
On Inauguration Day,
after a morning worship
service, the
President-elect and the
outgoing President will
proceed together to the
Capitol for the
swearing-in ceremonies.
The oath of office is
traditionally
administered on the
steps of the United
States Capitol in
Washington, D.C. The
Vice President takes the
oath first. At exactly
noon, the President
takes the oath of
office, traditionally
administered by the
Chief Justice of the
United States.
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The Presidential
Oath of Office "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."
— Article II,
Section 1, United
States Constitution |
Immediately following
the oath, the bands play
four ruffles and
flourishes and “Hail
to the Chief”,
followed by a 21-gun
salute from howitzers of
the Military District of
Washington.
According to tradition,
President Washington
added the words "so help
me God" when reciting
the oath in the first
inaugural. The words “so
help me God” have been
repeated by several
presidents including all
since Franklin D
Roosevelt.
After taking the oath of
office, the President
delivers his Inaugural
address on the west
front of the Capitol.
Most Presidents use
their Inaugural address
to present their vision
of America and to set
forth their goals for
the nation.
After the President has
delivered his Inaugural
address, he and the Vice
President will attend
the Inaugural Luncheon,
sponsored by the Joint
Congressional Committee
on Inaugural Ceremonies.
While this tradition
dates as far back as
1897, when the Senate
Committee on
Arrangements gave a
luncheon for President
McKinley and several
other guests at the U.S.
Capitol, it did not
begin in its current
form until 1953.
After the luncheon, it
is tradition for the
president to parade down
Pennsylvania Avenue from
the Capitol to the White
House. The President and
First Lady, Vice
President and his wife,
and special guests will
then review the
Inaugural Parade from a
specially built stand in
front of the White
House.
Inauguration Day
concludes with the Inaugural
ball.
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Hail to the Chief
Performance by
The U.S. Army Ceremonial Band
Origin of "Hail to the Chief"
In its original
form, James Sanderson's "Hail to the Chief" was a
setting of a portion of Canto 2, in Sir Walter Scott's
"The Lady of the Lake." Apparently Sanderson
borrowed this setting from its use in one of the
several dramatic versions of the poem which appeared
shortly after Scott's epic was written. In
November 1810, Scott wrote to a friend that "The Lady
of the Lake" was being made into a play by Martin and
Reynolds in London and by a Mr. Siddons in Edinburgh.
Presumably the music was written sometime between 1810
and 1811. In that time frame, Scott received a
letter from a friend and army officer who ended his
note with a copy of the music of the Boat Song, "Hail
to the Chief."
The music and a version of the play soon appeared in
this country. The first performance of the play
in New York City, for example, was given on May 8,
1812. One of the earliest copies of the music
found in the Military District of Washington's
collections was probably printed during 1812.
Many other printers in Boston, New York, Philadelphia
and Baltimore also published versions of "Hail to the
Chief," not to mention numerous parodies. One of
them, for example, is "Wreaths for the Chieftain,"
written by L.M. Sargent, Esq. and sung by Mr.
Huntington, in the Stone Chapel, Boston, at the
celebration of peace with Great Britain, and the
birthday of Gen. Washington, Feb. 22, 1815.
Adapted to a favorite air of Sanderson, from "The Lady
of the Lake" by F. Granger. Boston, G. Graupner
(before 1820).
Judging by the song's frequency in the performances by
songsters, it sprang almost immediately into wide,
general popularity. The song maintained its
popularity well into the 1840's, both in its original
form and in that of various political and patriotic
parodies.
Because of its martial character and the
appropriateness of its title, gradually there was a
transition of "Hail to the Chief" from just a popular
tune of the day to a march which has enjoyed
"official" status. When the tune was first used
for a presidential inauguration is unknown.
Contemporary accounts of the inaugural ceremonies
unfortunately do not mention any particular musical
compositions which may have been performed.
No doubt, during the period of the song's greatest
popularity, many band leaders thought it would be
appropriate to greet the appearance of some political
figures with the well-known strains. Later, by a
process much too gradual to call for special mention,
it was reserved entirely for Presidential appearances.
*Sanderson, James, 1769-1841 March and chorus, in
the dramatic romance of the "Lady of the Lake,"
composed by Mr. Sanderson. Philadelphia, Published by
G.E. Blake (ca. 1812).
Source: The
Military District of Washington |
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