Politics & Government

Washington, Lincoln, JFK, Trump: The 45th US president takes his place in history

Benjamin Harrison’s inauguration, 1889.
Benjamin Harrison’s inauguration, 1889.
Image: Library of Congress
By
Johnny Simon
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On Jan. 20th Donald Trump takes his place in history as the 45th President of the United States. For the vast majority of presidents, the public swearing-in has taken place in front of the Capitol Building in Washington. For presidents who entered office under special circumstances, like the death or resignation of their predecessor, smaller ceremonies have taken place inside government buildings. One exception is Lyndon Johnson, who was sworn in on Air Force Once following the assignation of John F. Kennedy.

But by and large, the custom has remained unchanged, give or take some extra security, TV cameras and a few jumbotrons. Here is a look at at some past inaugurals.

Barack Obama, 2009.
Barack Obama, 2009.
Image: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
George W. Bush, 2001.
George W. Bush, 2001.
William J. Clinton, 1993.
William J. Clinton, 1993.
Image: AP Photo/Ed Reinke
George H.W. Bush, 1989.
George H.W. Bush, 1989.
Image: AP Photo/Bob Daugherty
Ronald Reagan, 1981.
Ronald Reagan, 1981.
Image: AP Photo/Bob Daugherty
Jimmy Carter, 1977.
Jimmy Carter, 1977.
Image: AP Photo
Gerald R. Ford in the East Room of the White House, 1974.
Gerald R. Ford in the East Room of the White House, 1974.
Image: AP Photo
Richard M. Nixon, 1969.
Richard M. Nixon, 1969.
Image: AP
Lyndon B. Johnson in the cabin of Air Force One with Jacqueline Kennedy stands, Nov. 1963.
Lyndon B. Johnson in the cabin of Air Force One with Jacqueline Kennedy stands, Nov. 1963.
Image: AP Photo/White House, Cecil Stoughton
John F. Kennedy, 1961.
John F. Kennedy, 1961.
Image: AP Photo
Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1953.
Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1953.
Image: AP Photo
Harry S. Truman takes the oath of office for President of the United States shortly after Roosevelt’s death, April 1945.
Harry S. Truman takes the oath of office for President of the United States shortly after Roosevelt’s death, April 1945.
Image: AP Photo
Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1933.
Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1933.
Image: AP
Herbert Hoover, 1929.
Herbert Hoover, 1929.
Image: AP
A depiction of Calvin Coolidge taking the oath of Office in Vermont in 1923 following the death of President Warren G. Harding.
A depiction of Calvin Coolidge taking the oath of Office in Vermont in 1923 following the death of President Warren G. Harding.
Image: Library of Congress
Theodore Roosevelt, 1901.
Theodore Roosevelt, 1901.
Image: Library of Congres
Grover Cleveland, 1885.
Grover Cleveland, 1885.
Image: Library of Congress
Abraham Lincoln, 1861.
Abraham Lincoln, 1861.
Image: Library of Congress
A depiction of George Washington delivering the first inaugural address in New York in 1789.
A depiction of George Washington delivering the first inaugural address in New York in 1789.
Image: Library of Congress