The one constitutionally mandated occasion on Inauguration Day is for the president-elect to take the oath of workplace. However on the primary Inauguration Day, in 1789, George Washington did one thing else.
He gave a speech.
Each president since has adopted his instance and delivered an inaugural tackle as a part of the nationwide celebration.
This button from George Washington’s first inauguration visually unified the states of the Union.
Nationwide Museum of American Historical past
These addresses are greater than only a sequence of particular person speeches. Rhetoric students Karlyn Kohrs Campbell and Kathleen Corridor Jamieson argue that every inaugural tackle isn’t merely marking one stage within the ritual of political transition. Every can be a part of a style that has traits which, at some degree, are anticipated and understood by audio system and audiences. There have been 59 inaugural addresses, beginning with Washington, and whereas they could have differed in type and even particular topics, nearly all function these traits, which vary from calls to unify the nation to setting forth political rules.
The political historical past collections on the Nationwide Museum of American Historical past, the place I’m a curator specializing within the historical past of presidential campaigns and marketing campaign rhetoric, embody a number of objects that illustrate these traits.
Exploring the style of inaugural addresses via quotations and objects from the previous can assist listeners higher perceive the opening speech of a brand new administration, the primary act in a job that started with the taking of the oath.
This commemorative pitcher encompasses a quote: ‘We are all Republicans….all Federalists,’ from Thomas Jefferson’s first inaugural tackle.
Nationwide Museum of American Historical past
(Re)Unification of the viewers
Inaugurations function the transition level between the competitors of a marketing campaign and the wants of an administration starting to control. For the viewers to correctly fulfill their position as witnesses to this investiture of energy, they have to be unified and reconstituted as “we the people.”
Within the phrases of political scientist Lee Sigelman, these speeches are “literally brimming with verbal tokens of unity.”
There are references to our founders, our nation and the long run we face. In 1957, Dwight Eisenhower spoke of the needs “to which we, as a people, are pledged,” and Benjamin Harrison known as his 1889 inaugural second a “mutual covenant” between himself and the folks. George W. Bush in 2001 united his listeners, saying, “Americans are generous and strong and decent, not because we believe in ourselves but because we hold beliefs beyond ourselves.”
Thomas Jefferson’s first inaugural in 1801 could have been probably the most specific: “We have called by different names brethren of the same principle. We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists.”
Reaffirmation of nationwide values
New presidents should additionally set up their {qualifications} for the workplace by demonstrating they perceive and can protect the shared values which can be key to what Invoice Clinton in 1993 known as “the very idea of America.”
A button commemorating the 2009 inauguration of Barack Obama.
Nationwide Museum of American Historical past
These conventional values are expressed in phrases resembling freedom, liberty, democracy and braveness. In 1981, Ronald Reagan reminded the viewers, “Freedom and the dignity of the individual have been more available and assured here than in any other place on Earth. Jimmy Carter in 1977 summarized these values into “our belief in an undiminished, ever-expanding American dream.”
Setting forth political rules
A silk copy of William Henry Harrison’s 1841 inaugural tackle, the longest in historical past at greater than 8,400 phrases.
Nationwide Museum of American Historical past
Not like many different presidential addresses, most notably the State of the Union, the inaugural doesn’t advocate particular laws however reasonably articulates extra normal philosophies that may information a brand new administration. When insurance policies are provided, they’re much less a name for motion than an indication of a president’s dedication to the democratic system.
In 1845, James Polk promoted his “plain and frugal” financial plans as a result of he mentioned a nationwide debt “is incompatible with the ends for which our republican Government was instituted.” Herbert Hoover mentioned that the insurance policies he listed in his 1929 tackle could be examined towards the “ideals and aspirations of America.”
Even William Howard Taft, whose 1909 inaugural was among the many most coverage particular, framed his concepts with respect to the “proper” position of the federal authorities “in what it can and ought to accomplish for its people.”
Enacting the presidential position
This novelty merchandise celebrating William McKinley’s second inauguration in 1901 highlighted the political rules he had promoted in his first inaugural tackle and time period.
Nationwide Museum of American Historical past
Candidates give speeches which can be, for apparent causes, partisan and self-promoting. However when the marketing campaign ends and governing begins, presidents should exhibit an understanding of their position inside the broader system.
In his first inaugural in 1933, Franklin Roosevelt moved out of marketing campaign mode and acknowledged the constraints on his “leadership of frankness and vigor.” He pledged to depend on his “constitutional duty” to work with Congress.
Rhetoric students Campbell and Jamieson add that these speeches should additionally enact the “public, symbolic role of president of all the people” by revealing traits resembling humility and reliance on a better energy. A typical instance is discovered within the conclusion of Warren Harding’s 1921 tackle: “I accept my part with single-mindedness of purpose and humility of spirit, and implore the favor and guidance of God in His Heaven. With these I am unafraid, and confidently face the future.”
The official program for Franklin Roosevelt’s 1933 inauguration.
Nationwide Museum of American Historical past
Fulfilling ceremonial expectations
Due to the celebration that surrounds them, inaugural addresses are anticipated to replicate stylized, ceremonial talking. Such speeches attempt to achieve past the speedy scenario to evoke timeless themes utilizing memorable phrases.
In 1961, John Kennedy challenged Individuals throughout the many years to “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” The phrases “mystic chords of memory” and “better angels of our nature,” among the many most memorable phrases in presidential rhetoric, have been utilized to numerous conditions since Abraham Lincoln first uttered them in 1861.
Not all inaugural addresses obtain greatness. Some have been fairly forgettable. However every of them has tried to satisfy these expectations, serving to to maintain what Franklin Roosevelt in his second inaugural known as “our covenant with ourselves.”