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The Conversation USA

The Conversation USA

A brief history of presidential inaugural speeches, from George Washington to today

  • Written by Claire Jerry, Political History Curator, Smithsonian Institution
imageAbraham Lincoln's first inauguration on March 4, 1861.Bettmann/Getty Images

The only constitutionally mandated event on Inauguration Day is for the president-elect to take the oath of office. But on the first Inauguration Day, in 1789, George Washington did something else.

He gave a speech.

Every president since has followed his example and...

Read more: A brief history of presidential inaugural speeches, from George Washington to today

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