Newsletter Newsletters Events Events Podcasts Videos Africanews
Loader
Latest
Trending
Latest stories
Europe
Categories
Programmes
Featured
World
Categories
Programmes
Featured
EU Policy
Business
Categories
Programmes
Featured
Travel
Categories
Programmes
Next
Categories
Programmes
Featured
Culture
Categories
Programmes
Green
Categories
Programmes
Featured
Health
Categories
Programmes
Euroviews
Videos
More
Special coverage
Partner content
Services
Newsletter Newsletters Events Events Podcasts Videos Africanews
Loader
Find Us
Flipboard Instagram Linkedin
Different US presidential inaugurations over the years
Different US presidential inaugurations over the years -  Copyright  AP Photo
Copyright AP Photo
Copyright AP Photo

In pictures: US presidential inaugurations over the years

By Kamuran Samar
Published on
Share this article
Share this article Close Button

As Donald Trump is inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, we look at the most notable ceremonies celebrating US presidents-elect taking office over the years.

ADVERTISEMENT

Donald Trump has been inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States in Washington on Monday, marking his second, non-consecutive term in office.

The ceremony initially planned for the National Mall, has been relocated indoors to the Capitol Rotunda due to severe cold weather.

The inauguration of a US president is a historic moment that marks the transition of power and sets the tone for the administration ahead.

From the solemn oath-taking to grand parades, each inauguration offers a glimpse into the nation's political and cultural landscape.

We take a look at the most notable inaugurations of contemporary times as well as historical ones.

Joe Biden inauguration, 2021

Biden sworn in as the 46th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Jill Biden holds the Bible during the 59th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20, 2021
Biden sworn in as the 46th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Jill Biden holds the Bible during the 59th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20, 2021 Andrew Harnik
Biden speaks during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021
Biden speaks during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021 Patrick Semansky
Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and family, walk near the White House during a Presidential Escort to the White House, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021
Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and family, walk near the White House during a Presidential Escort to the White House, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021 Doug Mills

Trump's first parade and oath, 2017

FILE - President Donald Trump takes the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts, Friday, Jan. 27, 2017 on Capitol Hill in Washington
FILE - President Donald Trump takes the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts, Friday, Jan. 27, 2017 on Capitol Hill in Washington Jim Bourg
FILE - President Donald Trump waves as he walks with first lady Melania Trump and their son Barron, walk during the inauguration parade on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington
FILE - President Donald Trump waves as he walks with first lady Melania Trump and their son Barron, walk during the inauguration parade on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington The AP
Trump greets former President Barack Obama following Trump's inaugural address during the Inauguration on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017
Trump greets former President Barack Obama following Trump's inaugural address during the Inauguration on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 Ricky Carioti

Barack Obama's inaugurations in 2009 and 2013

Barack Obama gives his Inaugural address on the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013
Barack Obama gives his Inaugural address on the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013 Rob Carr
Barack Obama is sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts as the 44th president of the United States as his wife Michelle looks on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009 in Washington
Barack Obama is sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts as the 44th president of the United States as his wife Michelle looks on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009 in Washington Mark Wilson
Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama walk the inaugural parade route in Washington, Jan. 20, 2009
Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama walk the inaugural parade route in Washington, Jan. 20, 2009 AP Photo
Former President George W. Bush, right, hugs President Barack Obama after Obama was sworn in at the U.S. Capitol in Washington
Former President George W. Bush, right, hugs President Barack Obama after Obama was sworn in at the U.S. Capitol in Washington Ron Edmonds

George W Bush's two inaugurations, 2001 and 2005

George W. Bush takes the oath of office from Chief Justice William Rehnquist to become the 43rd president Saturday, Jan. 20, 2001, in Washington
George W. Bush takes the oath of office from Chief Justice William Rehnquist to become the 43rd president Saturday, Jan. 20, 2001, in Washington DOUG MILLS
Bush and first lady Laura Bush walk during the inauguration parade infront of the White House. Thursday, Jan. 20, 2005 in Washington
Bush and first lady Laura Bush walk during the inauguration parade infront of the White House. Thursday, Jan. 20, 2005 in Washington DOUG MILLS

Bill Clinton's second oath, 1997

President Clinton is sworn in for his second term Monday, Jan. 20, 1997, in Washington by Chief Justice of the United States William Rehnquist
President Clinton is sworn in for his second term Monday, Jan. 20, 1997, in Washington by Chief Justice of the United States William Rehnquist DOUG MILLS
The Capitol stands ready for the second inauguration of President Clinton Monday, Jan. 20, 1997
The Capitol stands ready for the second inauguration of President Clinton Monday, Jan. 20, 1997 RON EDMONDS
President Clinton signs the National Day of Hope and Renewal Proclamation on Capitol Hill Monday Jan. 20, 1997 after taking the oath for his second term
President Clinton signs the National Day of Hope and Renewal Proclamation on Capitol Hill Monday Jan. 20, 1997 after taking the oath for his second term JOE MARQUETTE

George H W Bush's inauguration, 1989

George Bush, left, raises his hand as he takes the oath of office as President of the United States outside the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 20, 1989
George Bush, left, raises his hand as he takes the oath of office as President of the United States outside the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 20, 1989 Ron Edmonds
George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara walk to the inaugural parade reviewing stand at the White House in Washington, Jan. 21, 1989
George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara walk to the inaugural parade reviewing stand at the White House in Washington, Jan. 21, 1989 Doug Mills

Ronald Reagan's inaugurations, 1981 and 1985

FILE - First lady Nancy Reagan, center, looks on as President Ronald Reagan is sworn in during ceremonies in the Rotunda beneath the Capitol Dome in Washington, Jan. 21, 1985
FILE - First lady Nancy Reagan, center, looks on as President Ronald Reagan is sworn in during ceremonies in the Rotunda beneath the Capitol Dome in Washington, Jan. 21, 1985 Ron Edmonds
FILE- This Jan. 20, 1981 file photo, shows Ronald Reagan as he gives a thumbs up to the crowd during the inaugural parade in Washington
FILE- This Jan. 20, 1981 file photo, shows Ronald Reagan as he gives a thumbs up to the crowd during the inaugural parade in Washington AP/1981
U.S. President Ronald Reagan and his wife, first lady Nancy Reagan, wave to the crowd on the west front of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C
U.S. President Ronald Reagan and his wife, first lady Nancy Reagan, wave to the crowd on the west front of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C AP/1981

Jimmy Carter's inauguration, 1971

FILE - Judge Robert H. Jordan administers the oath of office to Gov. Jimmy Carter at the Georgia Capitol in Atlanta, Jan. 12, 1971
FILE - Judge Robert H. Jordan administers the oath of office to Gov. Jimmy Carter at the Georgia Capitol in Atlanta, Jan. 12, 1971 The AP
Jimmy Carter waves to the crowd while walking with his wife Rosalynn along Pennsylvania Avenue and their daughter Amy
Jimmy Carter waves to the crowd while walking with his wife Rosalynn along Pennsylvania Avenue and their daughter Amy SUZANNE VLAMIS

Richard Nixon's parade, ball and oath, 1969 and 1973

U.S. President Richard Nixon takes the oath of office as he is sworn in for a second term in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 1973
U.S. President Richard Nixon takes the oath of office as he is sworn in for a second term in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 1973 AP
President Nixon and his wife Pat hold hands as they greet at the Shoreham Hotel Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 1969
President Nixon and his wife Pat hold hands as they greet at the Shoreham Hotel Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 1969 AP
Nixon applauds a passing unit during the inaugural parade in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 1969
Nixon applauds a passing unit during the inaugural parade in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 1969 AP
Richard M. Nixon takes the oath as President of the United States on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 20, 1969
Richard M. Nixon takes the oath as President of the United States on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 20, 1969 AP Photo

John F Kennedy's inaugural address, 1961

U.S. President John F. Kennedy delivers his inaugural address after taking the oath of office at the Capitol in Washington Jan. 20, 1961
U.S. President John F. Kennedy delivers his inaugural address after taking the oath of office at the Capitol in Washington Jan. 20, 1961 AP
John F. Kennedy speaking for the first time as President of the United States in front of the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 20, 1961, during the inaugural ceremonies
John F. Kennedy speaking for the first time as President of the United States in front of the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 20, 1961, during the inaugural ceremonies AP1961
President John F. Kennedy took oath of office, administered by Chief Justice Earl Warren in Washington January 20, 1961.
President John F. Kennedy took oath of office, administered by Chief Justice Earl Warren in Washington January 20, 1961. AP1961

Dwight Eisenhower's inauguration, 1953 and 1957

Dwight D. Eisenhower is inaugurated as President as U.S. Chief Justice Fred Vinson administers the oath of office during the ceremony in Washington. Jan. 20, 1953
Dwight D. Eisenhower is inaugurated as President as U.S. Chief Justice Fred Vinson administers the oath of office during the ceremony in Washington. Jan. 20, 1953 AP
President Dwight Eisenhower and Mrs. Mamie Eisenhower applaud entertainment at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington on Jan. 21, 1957
President Dwight Eisenhower and Mrs. Mamie Eisenhower applaud entertainment at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington on Jan. 21, 1957 Anonymous/1957

Harry Truman's inaugural parade, 1949

Harry S. Truman, left, and Vice President Alben W. Barkley wave from the inaugural parade reviewing stand in front of the White House after their inauguration in Washington
Harry S. Truman, left, and Vice President Alben W. Barkley wave from the inaugural parade reviewing stand in front of the White House after their inauguration in Washington AP
People gather in front of the Capitol Building for Harry S. Truman's inauguration ceremony as he takes the oath of office in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 1949
People gather in front of the Capitol Building for Harry S. Truman's inauguration ceremony as he takes the oath of office in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 1949 AP
President Harry S. Truman delivers inaugural address from Capitol portico, January 20, 1949, after taking oath of office for his first full term as chief executive
President Harry S. Truman delivers inaugural address from Capitol portico, January 20, 1949, after taking oath of office for his first full term as chief executive BECKER/AP

Additional sources • AP

Go to accessibility shortcuts
Share this article

Read more