The date of the inauguration and oath of office are in the constitution but the rest of the day is based on traditions carried down from the past. The events of January 20th every 4 years are coreographed to show Americans and the world how peaceful transition of power is in a democracy where the people decide who their leader is and the government abides by that decision.
After the prayer service the outgoing president welcomes the incoming president to the White House for coffee. They ride together to the Capitol to the new president’s inauguration.
The swearing-in ceremony takes place outside (unless the weather is horrid) on the steps of the Capitol with other present and former leaders of the government present with a public audience.
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court gives the oath to the President
The new President escorts the former President to an Air Force helicopter.
The new President parades down Pennsylvania Avenue to his new home The White House.
6 responses so far ↓
1
caroline milch
// Jan 25, 2009 at 11:33 am
out of all the elections that have gone on in my life ive only watched the inauguration of this one. and its actually quite amazing like how it works i wish i was actually there too see it .
2
Megan P
// Jan 26, 2009 at 2:02 pm
The inauguration of Brack Obama, was the only inauguration that I have watched as well. I agree with Caroline, it was interesting to see what actually happens and it would be a great experience to actually be in Washington DC. The pictures that you have are good ones, they show the important parts of the inauguration and it looks like it would be fun to be there.
3
Shawna
// Jan 27, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Same here! I’ve never seen an inauguration before. Even my little brother wacthed it in his class. I don’t ever remember watching it when I was in elementary school. What makes this inaugauration ,more important than others, beside the fact that the president-elect is African American?
4
chris heffernan
// Jan 28, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Shawna, the reason that inaugauration is more important than any other in our lifetime is because of Americas current situation eight years ago when Bush took office not only was america economy in good shape but the country had a budget surplus a surplus is when there is more money than what is needed to run the goverment. But now eight years later we not only have an economic crisis on our hands but we have a over a hundred billion dollar budget deficit a deficit is the exact opposite of a surplus. That an the two wars on terror that were fighting and the still constant fears of terrorist attacks on the usa have caused our country to find its self in the present slump we are now in. People just didnt elect Barack Obama because he was African American it was because he proved to over the sixty nine million people that voted for him to the fifty nine million that mccain recieved that he could get our country out of the mess we are now in.
5
aaron keaveney
// Feb 2, 2009 at 10:44 am
I dont see why people dont think the new prsedent is important. Not only did we finaly get rid of Bush after 8 years but we are showing the rest of the world that slavery hasnt come into the future and America can overcome anything
6
kristin reardon
// Feb 15, 2009 at 2:27 pm
i disagree with aaron a new president is a huge deal. because the goverment can have new and exciting views on important stuff like the economy.not only that but its a big change for America and what happens here can affect the entire world.
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