Presidential inaugurations through the years
Updated January 20, 2021 with 16 photos
While U.S. presidential inaugurations date back to George Washington's in New York City, the nation's first capital, there are few constitutional outlines to guide the ceremony besides the date and words of the oath. The rest falls to tradition. Thomas Jefferson was the first president sworn in in Washington, D.C. After his second inauguration, he rode on horseback from the Capitol to the White House with music, paving the way for the inaugural parade. Here's a look at a few of the modern inaugurations, focusing on one of the constitutional traditions, the oath of office.
