Presidential inaugurations through the years (16 images)

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.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower takes the oath of office during his inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on January 20, 1953. Photo courtesy of Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. Collection at the Archives Branch/Marine Corps History Division/Wikimedia Commons

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Chief Justice Earl Warren administers the oath of office to President John F. Kennedy (C) during inaugural ceremonies on January 20, 1961. Photo by Cecil Stoughton/U.S. Army Signal Corps/John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum/Wikimedia Commons

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Dallas District Judge Sarah T. Hughes (L) administers the presidential oath of office to Vice President Lyndon Johnson (C) flanked by Jackie Kennedy (R) and Lady Bird Johnson aboard Air Force One following President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963. Photo by Cecil Stoughton/John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum/Wikimedia Commons

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President Richard Nixon (R) takes his first oath of office as the 37th president of the United States on January 20, 1969. UPI File Photo

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