The Presidential Inauguration



An historical perspective is like good manners, it helps smooth over the rough spots, even when our hearts are not in it. 
There are official, traditional and quasi-traditional ceremonies that surround the peaceful transition of power from one President to the next.  My last book, That Blaisdell Blood: A Novel was centered around the inauguration of our first woman President (a Blaisdell woman).  Since the chapters each start with a different phase of inauguration day I did considerable research into what happens on that day.  That research was interesting whether you like the casual trivia of the day, or the longer view of history and how a people dedicated to democratic republics have found a way to survive the cult of personality. 
             The day starts with an Inaugural day worship service, embodied as a tradition by Franklin D. Roosevelt.  Certainly, other Presidents also chose to attend public or private services.  George Washington attended services at St. Paul’s Chapel in New York City immediately following his swearing-in.  This is the same chapel that was next to ground zero on 9-11 but somehow, miraculously, survived when the Twin Towers fell.   
            There is then a procession from the place of worship to the White House, with the President-elect and spouse escorted by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.  After a brief meeting with the out-going President, they all then proceed to the Capitol for the swearing in.  Edith Galt Wilson became the first First Lady to accompany her husband in the carriage to the Capitol in 1917. In 1921, Warren G. Harding became the first President to ride to his inauguration in an automobile. 
            The Vice President is sworn in first.  In that manner, the United States in never without a Chief Executive.  The Presidential Oath of Office is administered later.  Until Ronald Reagan, the swearing in was done on the East side of the Capitol.  Reagan, wanting to reduce costs and allow for a larger audience, chose the West side of the Capitol and it has remained so.  The swearing in has also been moved indoors because of bad weather (Reagan’s second inauguration) or illness (Andrew Jackson’s second inauguration). 
            The Inaugural address has been a mainstay of the ceremony since the beginning.  Washington’s second was the shortest (135 words) while Wm. Henry Harrison’s was the longest (8,445 words).  Harrison caught cold during that address and died 90 days later.
Following the inaugural ceremony, the outgoing President and First Lady leave the Capitol to begin their post-presidential lives.  Traditionally, the President's departure takes place with little ceremony.  Etiquette demands that they exit the stage quietly, allowing the next President to enjoy the day. 
The rest of the day involves the Presidential Luncheon in Statuary Hall.  This luncheon is given by the Congress, but the menu is chosen by the President.  It has been as simple as Eisenhower’s (creamed chicken, ham and potato puffs, which sounds like it comes right of Better Homes and Gardens) or as elegant as Obama’s (steamed lobster, hickory grilled bison, veggies and apple pie with assorted cheeses).   That feast is followed by the Inaugural parade and the Inaugural ball. 
Our only bachelor President, James Buchanan, probably set the mark for our first elegant ball.  President Grant’s ball in an unheated ballroom on a freezing March day saw the decorative canaries freezing and falling dead to the bottom of their cages.  And what is the only color of dress never chosen by a First Lady?  Gray—so naturally I chose that for the first woman President in my book. 
January 20th will not see my choice for President inaugurated.  But I am an American, a proud participant of the longest living Constitution in the world.  For that reason, I wish President-elect Trump well.  I love my country too much to do otherwise.
Celebrate the history and keep the faith.

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