By Matthew Cimitile, University Communications and Marketing

The first Inauguration Day took place at Federal Hall in New York City, then the newly formed nation's capital. It was there on April 30, 1789, that members of Congress watched as George Washington took the oath of office to become the country's first president. After giving the nation's first inaugural address, Washington ate dinner alone and walked back to his residency at the presidential mansion while fireworks filled the night sky.

In 2025, hundreds of thousands of citizens, elected officials, military officers, performers and more are expected to crowd outside the U.S. Capitol and the National Mall in Washington D.C. to see the 47th president, Donald Trump, be inaugurated.

In that span of 235 years, Inauguration Day has changed dramatically, from an event marking the start of a fledgling national government to the pomp and circumstances befitting a world power. However, some traditions remain the same for a ceremony that ushers in a new American president.

We turned to USF St. Petersburg Political Science Professor Judithanne Scourfield McLauchlan to learn more about the history of Inauguration Day and its importance today. McLauchlan has an intimate knowledge of the ceremony and the presidency, having worked at the White House during both terms of President Bill Clinton's administration (1993-2001) and been involved in multiple inaugurations and presidential campaigns.

Why do we have an Inauguration Day? Was this ceremony detailed in the Constitution?

Article 2, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution mentions that the president must take an oath of office to begin his or her term. So, you can say that Inauguration Day came about because the president needed to take the oath. Most of what we think of when we think of Inauguration Day developed through tradition and over time.

What were the first Inauguration Days like during the time of the Founding Fathers?

They were very different from today. Today, we have these massive, public spectacles that are an attempt to unify the country after a hard-fought election. In those early inauguration events, the audience was primarily congressional leaders coming to the capital. It wasn't until 1817 that President James Monroe (the nation's fifth President) gave an inaugural address to an assembled crowd. Since then, Inauguration Day has given a new or re-elected president the opportunity to speak directly to the nation and lay out their vision for the country.

How has Inauguration Day changed over our country's history?

One of the biggest changes is the day itself. Presidents used to be inaugurated on March 4. The only early exception was President Washington's first inauguration (which came weeks later because it took so long to get to New York City by horse, which was then the nation's capital.) Later on, the March 4 date became problematic, as it was just too long of a period between the election and when a new administration was sworn in. The 20th Amendment was ratified in 1933 to shorten this "lame duck" period, officially making January 20 Inauguration Day in the Constitution.

I think the principal difference overall is the public engagement aspect of the ceremony and how big the event has become. In 1981, President Reagan moved the swearing-in ceremony from the east to the west front of the U.S. Capitol. This allows people to view the ceremony all the way down the mall, as far away as the Washington Monument. There is also the parade after the oath is taken, where the president walks down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House, being able to get up close with the public. There are also many other events that now proceed and follow the actual inauguration, such as concerts and rallies, that include more people in the celebration.

I've had the privilege to attend a few inaugurations and it is usually very, very cold. But there is so much excitement and enthusiasm from the tens of thousands of people who come out to witness the historic event.

Are there any elements or traditions from those first inaugurations that still persist today?

The most important tradition comes from the very first inauguration, and that is the inaugural address. Like some other key traditions in our nation, it was begun by George Washington. It has become a very important opportunity for a new president to share their vision and what they hope to accomplish during the next four years of their administration.

These are typically very memorable speeches that transcend partisan politics and attempt to unify the country. Think of JFK's: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country;" or FDR's: "Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

What is the civic value of this event?

Presidential inaugurations are a symbol of American democracy. They portray the peaceful transition of power to all Americans - and to all watching from around the world. All of the events - the swearing-in ceremony, the parades, and the balls - are filled with traditions and pageantry that are meant to unify us as Americans and to inspire us to reflect on what it means to be an American.

For more information about Inauguration Day, visit:

Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies

The White House Historical Association

Library of Congress

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