Just as it was four years ago, Inauguration Day was exhilarating, uplifting, and moving in ways difficult to describe. I haven’t yet found adjectives to capture what it’s like to stand amidst a crowd of a million cheering people, or to see virtually an entire government assemble outdoors in a public park to install a chief executive per the direction of its People, or to hear parents explaining to their children what the civic exercise they are watching means to their futures.

My colleague Phil’s guest post yesterday nicely covered the elements of the ceremonies as well as the officials and entertainers involved this year. Rather than restate that information, I’ll simply note a few of the highlights that I found particularly meaningful … starting with the oath of office and the President’s stirring Inaugural Address:

 

In 2009 I was struck by the large number of families who came to witness Barack Obama make history, as well as by the outpouring of happy tears (in some cases uncontrollable sobs) when he repeated the oath. Although we are now four years along, the scene on the National Mall was similar, with a large number of children, folks from the far corners of the country and around the world, a joyful atmosphere, and many moist eyes. And again I wouldn’t have traded the 5 hours in the cold winter weather for a comfortable chair in front of a TV.

Among the other highlights for me were the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir’s extraordinary rendition of the Battle Hymn of the Republic … the procession of Senators, House Members, Supreme Court Justices, and Cabinet Secretaries, displaying in one place our carefully calibrated balance of power among three independent branches of government … Myrlie Evers-Williams’ stirring and deeply symbolic invocation … the President taking his oath of office on the Bibles of Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr. …

… the President’s soaring statement that “We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths –- that all of us are created equal –- is the star that guides us still;  just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall;  just as it guided all those men and women, sung and unsung, who left footprints along this great Mall, to hear a preacher say that we cannot walk alone;  to hear a King proclaim that our individual freedom is inextricably bound to the freedom of every soul on Earth” …

… the high spirits and conversations at the Balls and parties … and, yes, the guy who climbed to the top of a tree on the Capitol grounds, waved a sign, and shouted a single political belief repeatedly for five hours within easy eyesight and earshot of the senior officials on the dais, without being pulled down or otherwise silenced and carted away. There will always be cynics, arm-chair critics, and pickers of nits when it comes to freedom of speech, but the annoying guy in the tree unintentionally proved a point and indirectly made me proud.

The day was rich with color, symbolism, pageantry, and very personal vignettes. Spectators cheered, sang, embraced, and waved what looked to me to be hundreds of thousands of flags. Both the array of dignitaries on the dais and the crowd of other citizens on the Mall reflected the vast, organic diversity of the American People.

Below are a few more of my favorite images of the day, some of which were inartfully captured with my trusty iPhone:

As I said, it was a great day. I look forward to returning in four years to witness again the grand Constitutional exercise as power is transferred smoothly, peacefully, and publicly from our 44th President to our 45th. If you happen to be in the U.S. on January 20, 2017, or can plan a trip at that time, I would encourage you to attend as well.

Dr. McWaine and I are in Washington today to join hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens and visitors from around the world to witness on the National Mall the grand transfer (or confirmation) of executive power that occurs when an American President-elect takes the oath of office. This is the second time we’ve attended an Inauguration. We were here four years ago when approximately 2 million people packed the Mall, the largest crowd ever to assemble in the capital city.

Quadrennial culmination and public celebration of our democratic processes, there is nothing else quite like Inauguration Day on the American civic calendar. The legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the Government assemble at the Capitol in full view of the American People. Our President-elect and Vice President-elect swear to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” And our new President lays out his vision for the Nation.

It’s just after dawn here in DC on January 21st, and we’ll be leaving the hotel shortly to navigate the Metro system to the Mall. I’ll be tweeting and posting to Facebook and Instagram throughout the day, so please check my feeds for photos and updates. For now, I’ll share a few notes of historical and personal interest about Inauguration Day assembled by my colleague Phil:

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Inauguration Day, by Phil McKenna

The Constitution says little about the process to inaugurate a President, only that the individual elected must take the oath specified in Article II, Section 1. So the Inauguration ceremony itself follows a path not set by law but well-worn by traditions — some of which date back to the very first inauguration of President George Washington in 1789, others of which have developed over the intervening years.

The 56 Inaugural Days since 1789 have seen many changes, from venue to format to dress code, but they have all had a common thread – they all take place very publicly, in front of the American people. The transfer is both literal and symbolic.

Since 1837, when Martin Van Buren and Andrew Jackson rode together in a carriage to the Capitol, the outgoing President has joined the President-elect for the swearing-in ceremonies. Their combined presence shows how the democratic process naturally institutionalizes peaceful and legitimate shifts in power, even when the two are vehement political adversaries.

The language a President uses during his inaugural address is also carefully chosen to reflect or enhance unity. An excellent example was Thomas Jefferson’s first address in 1801. After prevailing in a bitter political campaign against John Adams (who declined to attend Jefferson’s inauguration), he reminded his followers of the “sacred principle” that for the will of the majority to be rightful it “must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which … to violate would be oppression.”

In the face of civil war in 1861, Abraham Lincoln appealled to “the better angels of our nature.” First elected in the throes of the Great Depression, Franklin Roosevelt proclaimed that that “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” In 1961, John F. Kennedy famously challenged Americans to “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

The 20th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1933, changed the legal commencement of a Presidential term from noon on March 4 to noon on January 20. This year, as has happened on the six previous occasions when Inaugural Day has fallen on a Sunday, President Obama and Vice President Biden were officially sworn in on Sunday at the White House and Naval Observatory, respectively. The oaths are then readministered in public on Monday.

I’ll describe briefly the traditional Inauguration Day events. First, though, I note that in 2009 and again this year, President Obama added a new element — a National Day of Service. The President asked Americans across the country to organize and participate in service projects in their communities on Saturday to celebrate the legacy of service of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The President, First Lady, Vice President and his wife, and members of the Cabinet participated in service projects in the Washington area.

Morning Worship Service. This follows a tradition dating back to March 4, 1933 when, prior to his swearing-in ceremony, President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor attended a church service at St. John’s Episcopal Church, next to the White House.

Procession to the Capitol. After the morning worship service, the President, Vice President and their spouses are escorted to the Capitol by members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC). Whenever there is a change of administration, the procession stops at the White house to pick up the outgoing President. As far as I’m aware, the only time in the past 200 years in which President-elect and outgoing President did not ride in procession together was when beleaguered President Andrew Johnson remained in the White House signing last-minute Reconstruction legislation, right up to the expiry of his term at noon.

Vice President’s Swearing-In. The Vice President traditionally takes the oath first. In the early years of the Republic, the Vice President, who acts as president of the Senate, was sworn-in by Senators in a separate ceremony inside the Senate on the final day of the congressional session. Given the throng of family members and friends of outgoing and incoming elected officials, the Senate doorkeeper occasionally had to push the clock hands back to fulfill Congress’s legal noon adjournment requirement.

President’s Swearing-In. The Presidential oath of office, per Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution, is: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” The option to affirm was offered in case a person’s religious beliefs prohibited swearing. Only one president, Franklin Pierce in 1853, has chosen to affirm rather than swear his oath.

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court traditionally administers the oath to the President. John Quincy Adams took his 1825 oath on a law book. All other Presidents have taken the oath on one or more Bibles. In 2009, President Obama used the same Bible used by President Abraham Lincoln. Today, President Obama will use two Bibles – that same Lincoln Bible and a Bible used by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

President’s Inaugural Address. After taking the oath of office, the President delivers an inaugural address. Fifty-four such addresses have been given by thirty-seven Presidents. Only four Presidents, all of whom were Vice Presidents who succeeded a President who died in office and then were not elected in the subsequent election — John Tyler, Millard Fillmore, Andrew Johnson, Chester Arthur — gave no inaugural address. George Washington’s second address was the shortest in history (only 135 words).

Other Elements of the Ceremony. Beginning with President-elect Kennedy’s selection of Robert Frost, a poet reads a poem written for the day. This year’s Inauguration Day poet will be Cuban-American Richard Blanco. There are invocation and benediction prayers.  This year the invocation will be delivered by Mrs. Myrlie Evers-Williams, former chair of the NCAAP and widowm of civil rights martyr Medgar Evers. And there are musical selections, this year from the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Clarkson, and James Taylor.

Inaugural Luncheon. Beginning in 1953, the newly sworn President is escorted to Statuary Hall in the Capitol Building for an Inaugural luncheon hosted by the JCCIC, often featuring cuisine reflecting the home states of the President and Vice President. This year will be pan-American, with Steamed Lobster with New England Chowder, Hickory Grilled Bison with Wild Huckleberries, Red Potato Horseradish Cake, Hudson Valley Apple Pie, Sour Cream Ice Cream, Aged Cheese, and Honey.

Inaugural Parade. The tradition of an Inaugural parade dates back to the very first Inauguration, when George Washington took the oath of office on April 30, 1789, in New York City. As he traveled to the ceremony from his home in Virginia, local militias and groups of citizens joyfully joined him.

Since then, Presidents and Vice Presidents have traveled from the Capitol to the White after the ceremony, leading a procession of citizens’ groups, marching bands, ceremonial military regiments, and floats that reflect the diversity of the American People. President Jimmy Carter set a precedent in 1977 by walking the parade route from the Capitol to the White House with his wife Rosalynn. All subsequent Presidents have walked at least part of the route.

Inaugural Ball. The tradition of the Inaugural Ball, a grand party the evening of Inauguration Day, began with President James Madison in 1809.

Organizers of Dwight Eisenhower’s 1953 Inaugural Ball split the event into two simultaneous parties due to demand.

Since then the number of official Balls has expanded significantly. President Kennedy attended five in 1961.  President Clinton attended 14 in 1997, an all-time high of fourteen.

This year there will be two official events – a very large  Inaugural Ball (with affordable admission tickets available by lot) and a Commander-In-Chief’s Ball (for selected members of the U.S. military).

As has has become traditional, there will also be many unofficial Balls organized by various citizens groups.

The rich traditions and uplifting ceremonies of Inauguration Day make it a happy occasion, but history shows that there can also be risk for a President. On March 4, 1841, William Henry Harrison refused to move the ceremonies indoors despite frigid temperatures and a snow storm. He delivered the longest inaugural address in history (8,445 words, or about 2 hours long) without coat, scarf, or hat.

Shortly thereafter, President Harrison came down with pneumonia. On April 4, 1841, only  31 days later, he died after spending most of his short Presidency bed-ridden. The first American President to die in office, he still holds the record for serving the shortest term.

This year the weather forecast is for clear skies, temperatures well above freezing, and no risk of rain or snow, so it should be a great day.

- PM

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In closing, I’d like to share that short inaugural address by George Washington that Phil mentioned. It’s one of my favorite because of what it reveals about the character and approach of our iconic founding President:

“Fellow Citizens:

“I am again called upon by the voice of my country to execute the functions of its Chief Magistrate. When the occasion proper for it shall arrive, I shall endeavor to express the high sense I entertain of this distinguished honor, and of the confidence which has been reposed in me by the people of united America.

“Previous to the execution of any official act of the President the Constitution requires an oath of office. This oath I am now about to take, and in your presence: That if it shall be found during my administration of the Government I have in any instance violated willingly or knowingly the injunctions thereof, I may (besides incurring constitutional punishment) be subject to the upbraidings of all who are now witnesses of the present solemn ceremony.”

A few months ago the White House named Terisa Tinei Siagatonu a “Champion of Change” along with eight other Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders and organizations. 

Created as part of President Obama’s “Winning the Future” initiative, the Champions of Change program regularly highlights educators, entrepreneurs, volunteers, and others who are working to better their communities.

Selecting each group of champions is no easy task. All across America people like Terisa are doing extraordinary things to strengthen, uplift, and improve our communities. As I’ve written and spoken about many times before, such community involvement and grassroots activism are at the core of the American national character. 

A spoken-word artist, arts educator, and community organizer, Terisa serves as Project Director for the Pacific Islander Education and Retention (PIER) project at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). PIER’s goal is to increase matriculation rates of Pacific Islander students at U.S. colleges and universities by providing a range of services including free tutoring, mentorship, and peer advising to Pacific Islander high school students in Los Angeles.

Terisa came to the attention of the White House when she participated in a “What’s Your Story?” video challenge highlighting the personal experiences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the United States. Entitled “When We Speak for Ourselves,” her video focused on her work in Los Angeles:

 

A guest post that Terisa wrote for the White House website conveys her passion for service and education:

“To share in my personal growth as a first generation, working class, queer, Samoan spoken word poet/community activist, and explain how I found power in my voice the moment I realized I could use it to save myself and my community, I need to be able to speak and write in my own vernacular. My own language. …

“It was always clear to me that my calling would lead me to devote the rest of my life to working with my Pacific Islander community, but it wasn’t until I got to college that I found what I really wanted to do was to work with Pacific Islander youth and other youth of color. As a first generation college graduate, education was not an option: it was a priority whether I wanted it to be or not, and I’m thankful that my parents wouldn’t have it any other way.”

In addition to her work at PIER, Terisa is active in several other community groups and regularly performs her spoken-word poetry. Keep your eyes open for this passionate Champion of Change in a venue near you.

As I’ve written previously, freedom of religion is enshrined at the core of America’s civic consensus along with freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. Promoting and protecting religious freedom is one of our foreign policy objectives. Such human rights work is never really “completed,” and thus it’s important to remind ourselves regularly of the values we hold and the challenges we face. Below is a proclamation issued by President Obama this week on the occasion of Religious Freedom Day.

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By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Washington, DC

Foremost among the rights Americans hold sacred is the freedom to worship as we choose. Today, we celebrate one of our Nation’s first laws to protect that right — the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. Written by Thomas Jefferson [in 1777] and guided through the Virginia legislature by James Madison [to passage on January 16, 1786], the Statute affirmed that “Almighty God hath created the mind free” and “all men shall be free to profess . . . their opinions in matters of religion.” Years later, our Founders looked to the Statute as a model when they enshrined the principle of religious liberty in the Bill of Rights.

Because of the protections guaranteed by our Constitution, each of us has the right to practice our faith openly and as we choose. 

As a free country, our story has been shaped by every language and enriched by every culture. 

We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, Sikhs and non-believers. Our patchwork heritage is a strength we owe to our religious freedom.

Americans of every faith have molded the character of our Nation. They were pilgrims who sought refuge from persecution; pioneers who pursued brighter horizons; protesters who fought for abolition, women’s suffrage, and civil rights. 

Each generation has seen people of different faiths join together to advance peace, justice, and dignity for all.

Today, we also remember that religious liberty is not just an American right; it is a universal human right to be protected here at home and across the globe. This freedom is an essential part of human dignity, and without it our world cannot know lasting peace.

As we observe Religious Freedom Day, let us remember the legacy of faith and independence we have inherited, and let us honor it by forever upholding our right to exercise our beliefs free from prejudice or persecution.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 16, 2013, as Religious Freedom Day. I call on all Americans to commemorate this day with events and activities that teach us about this critical foundation of our Nation’s liberty, and show us how we can protect it for future generations at home and around the world.

- Barack Obama