42ND INAUGURAL CEREMONIES
PRESIDENT
DWIGHT D.
EISENHOWER
January 20, 1953
VICE PRESIDENT
RICHARD M.
NIXON
January 20, 1953
INAUGURAL COMMITTEE
Sen. Styles Bridges (R-NH), Chair
Sen. Herman Welker (R-ID)
Sen. Carl T. Hayden (D-AZ)
Rep. Leslie C. Arends (R-IL)
Rep. Joseph W. Martin (R-MA)
Rep. Sam T. Rayburn (D-TX)
ABOUT THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONIES
Dwight D. Eisenhower was sworn-in as the 34th President of the United States, and Richard M. Nixon was sworn-in as the 36th Vice President of the United States.
Location:
East Portico, U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC
Weather:
Cloudy skies, with a noon temperature of 49°F.
Bible Used:
Eisenhower used two Bibles: the Bible used by George Washington in 1789 (belonging to St. John’s Masonic Lodge No. 1), opened to II Chronicles 7:14; and his own personal “West Point Bible,” opened to Psalm 33:12.
FACTS, FIRSTS, & PRECEDENTS
President Eisenhower recited a prayer prior to delivering his Inaugural Address; First time the Inaugural Luncheon was held at the U.S. Capitol
INVOCATION
The Most Reverend Patrick A. O’Boyle,
Archbishop of Washington
NATIONAL ANTHEM
Performed by Dorothy Maynor
accompanied by the United States Marine Band,
led by Lt. Col. William F. Santelmann.
VICE PRESIDENTIAL OATH OF OFFICE
Administered to Richard M. Nixon
by Senator William Knowland.
WATCH HERE
MUSICAL SELECTION
“America, the Beautiful”
performed by Eugene Conley,
accompanied by the United States Marine Band.
PRAYER
Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver of Cleveland, OH
PRESIDENTIAL OATH OF OFFICE
Administered to Dwight D. Eisenhower
by the Honorable Frederick Vinson,
Chief Justice of the United States.
WATCH HERE
PRAYER
President Dwight D. Eisenhower
WATCH HERE
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
“At such a time in history, we who are free must proclaim anew our faith. This faith is the abiding creed of our fathers. It is our faith in the deathless dignity of man, governed by eternal moral and natural laws.”
President Dwight D. Eisenhower
WATCH HERE
Read full address in the Congressional Record
BENEDICTION
Bishop Henry Knox Sherrill
NATIONAL ANTHEM
Performed by the United States Marine Band,
led by Lt. Col. William F. Santelmann.
WATCH HERE
INAUGURAL LUNCHEON
For the first time, members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies hosted a luncheon in honor of the newly sworn-in President and Vice President. Approximately 200 guests including the new President, Vice President, members of their families, the Supreme Court, Cabinet designees, and members of Congressional leadership attended the event in the United States Senate Restaurant.
LUNCHEON MENU
Gulf Shrimp
Olives, Radishes, and Tomato Juice
Creamed Chicken in Patty Shell
Baked Sugar-Cured Ham
Cranberry Jelly
Watermelon Pickles
Potato Puffs
New Peas in Butter
Green Salad
Ice Cream Sundaes
Petits Fours