By Dr. E. Faye Williams
(TriceEdneyWire.com) – Every four years on January 20th, our nation engages in peaceful continuation or exchange of presidential authority. Despite current acrimony in the legislative branch, most political observers marvel in the relatively orderly process of transition of power from one president to the next.
Significance of Presidential Inaugurations is firmly rooted in history, and reflected in almost every important event since George Washington took office in 1789. Though several presidents were less than distinguished in service, few would minimize the impact of those who served in this office. At some point in history, US Presidents, generally, were recognized as "the most powerful" men in the world. Their leadership has played an ever increasing role in shaping the world.
For those who voted for the winning candidate, Inauguration Day is a festive occasion that reaffirms hopes and dreams for national success and prosperity. It’s a day to celebrate the person who’ll lead us for the next four years. It’s a day when most of us subordinate our own interests for "the common good."
Although most of us have seen inaugurations take place on the West Terrace of the US Capitol, the swearing-in conducted by our Chief Justice and an Inaugural Parade moving ceremoniously down Constitution Avenue, it didn’t always happen that way.
The first three Inaugurations occurred outside Washington, DC. George Washington took his first oath in New York and was sworn in by the Chancellor of that state. His second inauguration took place in Philadelphia. John Adams took his oath in Philadelphia. Thomas Jefferson was the first President to take the oath of office in Washington, DC. His inaugural address was the first to be reprinted in a newspaper. His second inauguration was the occasion of the first Inaugural Parade.
The first Inaugural Ball, held the same day as the inauguration, was in honor of President and Mrs. Madison, in 1809. For those who bemoan the cost of ball tickets now, suffer in the knowledge that the first ball tickets cost $4 each!
Andrew Jackson was the first President to take his oath on the East Portico of the Capitol-- a tradition lasting for 152 years until 1981 when Ronald Reagan became the first President inaugurated on the West Terrace. John F. Kennedy was the last President to wear the traditional stovetop hat to his inauguration.
Historians assumed President Franklin Roosevelt would hold the record for three inaugural firsts. He was the last President to take the oath on March 4th (1933) and the first to take the oath on January 20th (1937). He was also thought to be the only President to take the oath four times!
In 2009, we saw an inauguration of ground-breaking significance – that of Barack Obama, our first African American President. It was an event many believed would not happen in their lifetime. The 2013 Inauguration is just as important or more significant, as it marks the reelection of the first African American President. It’s made even more significant because it takes place 150 years and 21 days after the effective date of the Emancipation Proclamation.
President Obama ties FDR’s record of oaths and sets one of his own. By close of business January 21st, he’ll have taken the oath 4 times! The 20this a Sunday so he’ll take the mandated oath in a private ceremony that day, and a public one the next day. Most will say that's only 3 times, but he took the oath twice in 2009 when the Chief Justice’s error in reading the oath created the need for the President to repeat it in the Oval Office to forego any challenge because of the error.
I look forward to the day women, Hispanics, Asians and others will stand as peers beside Presidents who’ve preceded them in history.
(Dr. Williams is Chair of the National Congress of Black Women, www.nationalcongressbw.org. 202/678-6788)