Hail to the Chief! Every four years on January 20, an important event occurs in the United States: A President takes the Oath of Office during an inauguration ceremony

At noon on January 20, 2009, Barack Obama will take the oath of office as the 44 th President of the United States

A variety of inauguration festivities will take place…. American citizens have witnessed inaugurations ceremonies for over 200 years from the first one for George Washington in New York City in 1789 to today’s 56 th Presidential inauguration. Presidential inaugurations include solemn ceremonies and great celebrations. They reflect our country’s traditions and reflect the moment. What happens on Inauguration Day?

Morning Worship Service The tradition of attending a morning worship service on Inauguration Day began with Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933.

Procession to the Capitol By tradition, the outgoing President goes with the President-elect to the Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony. (Thomas Jefferson walked to his ceremony.)

Presidential Swearing-In Ceremony The first Inauguration of George Washington occurred 220 years ago in front of New York's City’s Federal Hall. With the ceremony complete, the crowd let out three big cheers. By March of 1801, the seat of the U.S. government had moved to Washington, D.C. President-elect Thomas Jefferson walked with little fanfare to the Capitol Building from his nearby lodgings at a boarding house to become the first President to be inaugurated in the nation’s new capital city.

Vice President’s Swearing-In Ceremony Just before the President- elect takes the oath of office on Inauguration Day, the Vice President- elect will step forward on the Inaugural platform and repeat the oath of office. This is followed by four ruffles (drums) and flourishes (bugles) and the song Hail Columbia.

The Constitution Tells Us…What In Article II, Section1: Before he (the President elect) enters on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation: “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.”

And the 20 th Amendment to the Constitution…tells us When The terms of the President and the Vice President shall end at noon on the 20 of January…and the terms of their successors (new President) shall then begin.

Taking the Oath The oath of office is traditionally said on the steps of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. It is followed by more ruffles (drums) and flourishes (bugles) and the song Hail to the Chief.

The President delivers an inaugural address Every President since Washington has delivered an Inaugural address or speech. The shortest was 135 words; the longest 8,445 words. The President talks about his vision for the country.

The Outgoing President Leaves Following the inaugural ceremony on the west front of the U.S. Capitol, the outgoing President and First Lady leave the Capitol. Remember, his job is finished at noon. In recent years, the newly installed President and Vice President have walked the leaving first family out of the Capitol after the swearing-in ceremony.

Inaugural Luncheon On January 20, after the newly elected President has taken the oath of office and delivered his Inaugural address, he will go into Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol for the traditional Inaugural luncheon. This lunch often features food reflecting the home states of the new President and Vice President. The luncheon program includes speeches, gift presentations and cheers to the new leaders.

Inaugural Parade The newly sworn President and Vice President—will make their way down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House, leading a procession of ceremonial military regiments, citizens' groups, marching bands, and floats. They will then review the parade as it passes in front of a specially built reviewing stand. The Inaugural parade is a celebrated and much anticipated event for millions of Americans across the country.

While early parades were mostly marching soldiers, by 1841, floats, citizens groups, and bands became a big part of the parade.

Inaugural Ball One week after the Inauguration of George Washington in New York City, a ball (dance) was held to honor the new President. It was after the Inauguration of James Madison at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., that the tradition of the Inaugural ball began. There have been as many as14 balls for one inauguration.

What a busy and exciting day! Congratulations President Obama and Vice-President Biden What do you hope to see as you watch the inauguration?