April 30, 1789 -- George Washington Oath of Office taken out-of-doors.
Pronounced the words, "So help me God" after taking the oath; other presidents have followed this example.
March 4, 1841 -- William H. Harrison -- Longest inaugural address (10,000 words). Broke precedent by beginning address, taking oath, and then resuming address.
March 4, 1865 -- Abraham Lincoln -- First time that African-Americans participated in the inaugural parade.
March 4, 1909 -- William H. Taft -- First time that a president's wife rode with her husband in the procession from the Capitol to the White House.
January 20, 1985, and January 21, 1985 -- Ronald Reagan -- First inaugural that fell on a Super Bowl Sunday.
Showing posts with label Inaugural. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inaugural. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Inaugural Benediction...with a twist
Rev. Joseph Lowery was asked to give the closing benediction at today's swearing-in ceremony and his prayer seemed pretty standard until he reached his closing paragraph:
"...Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back . . . when brown can stick around . . . when yellow will be mellow . . . when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. Let all those who do justice and love mercy say amen. Say amen. And amen"
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