INAUGURATION HISTORY

“so help me God"

A history of DC's most iconic ceremony

Photo Credit: Lisa Christiansen

The presidential inauguration is a ceremony to mark the commencement of a new four-year term of a president of the United States – even if the president is continuing in office for a second term. But Washington, DC hasn’t always been the Nation’s Capital. The first inauguration took place in the original nation’s capital–New York City.

The Inauguration wasn’t always held on January 20th either. Due to bad weather and delays, George Washington didn’t give his inaugural address until April 30, 1789. With his right hand on a Bible, and in the presence of both sides of Congress, he repeated the words inscribed in the Constitution: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States." President Washington then added the words, “So help me God," a custom followed by every President since.

There have been plenty of memorable lines from some of the most famous presidential addresses. They are like a window into our nation’s history. During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln called on Americans to “…finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds," while in 1933 Franklin Roosevelt reached out to citizens discouraged by the Great Depression, saying, “This great nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper." President John F. Kennedy inspired a generation of young people in 1961 when he urged, “…ask not what your country can do for you— ask what you can do for your country." Just to name a few!

The Inauguration Ceremony of Abraham Lincoln

ALL YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE (BUT WERE TOO AFRAID TO ASK)

Why do we have the electorial college?

Electors were viewed as a compromise between a true popular election and an election by more qualified citizens. Some of the founders wondered if it would be wise to permit average citizens to vote but wanted to stay true to their republican principles. The Electoral College was their answer.

Because the system is written into the Constitution, an amendment would be required to alter the process. Like the Senate, the Electoral College helps to distribute power away from the most populated areas of the US. California gets 55 votes compared to Wyoming’s 3, but this divide would be much greater in a purely popular vote.

U.S. Electoral College. Photo credit: USA.gov Who is in the Electoral College?

The 12th Amendment outlines the process for electing the President. While some state laws differ, generally...

Before the November election, political parties in each state create lists of potential electors (usually active members of the party) who pledge to vote for the party's candidate in the Electoral College.

A state's number of electoral votes equals the number of the state's Congressional delegation (2 Senators + the number of Representatives). The District of Columbia receives three electoral votes, according to the 23rd Amendment to the Constitution.

On the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, voters cast their ballots. These votes go towards a block of electors who, in turn, will vote for a certain presidential candidate. The winner of the popular vote in a state receives the state's entire number of Electoral College votes (except in Maine and Nebraska).

A special joint session of the U.S. Congress convenes on January 6th. At this meeting, the President of the Senate reads the Certificates of Vote and declares the official winner