44TH INAUGURAL CEREMONIES
PRESIDENT
JOHN F.
KENNEDY
January 20, 1961
VICE PRESIDENT
LYNDON B.
JOHNSON
January 20, 1961
INAUGURAL COMMITTEE
Sen. John J. Sparkman (D-AL), Chair
Sen. Carl T. Hayden (D-AZ)
Sen. Styles Bridges (R-NH)
Rep. Sam T. Rayburn (D-TX)
Rep. John W. McCormack (D-MA)
Rep. Charles A. Halleck (R-IN)
ABOUT THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONIES
John F. Kennedy was sworn-in as the 35th President of the United States, and Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn-in as the 37th Vice President of the United States.
Location:
East Portico, U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC
Weather:
Snow into the early morning left 8 inches on the ground. It was sunny but cold the rest of the day. Army flame throwers were used to clear snow from Pennsylvania Avenue. Estimated noon temperature of 22°F.
Bible:
Fitzgerald family Bible (his mother’s family), closed.
FACTS, FIRSTS, AND PRECEDENTS
First time a poet, Robert Frost, participated in the inaugural program; First Roman Catholic to become President of the United States.
FILM FOOTAGE OF THE 44th INAUGURAL CEREMONIES
MUSICAL SELECTION
“America the Beautiful”
The United States Marine Band
under the direction of Lt. Col. Albert F. Schoepper
WATCH HERE
INVOCATION
Given by Cardinal Richard Cushing
WATCH HERE
THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
Marian Anderson
accompanied by the United States Marine Band
WATCH HERE
PRAYER
Archbishop Iakovos of the Greek Orthodox Church
WATCH HERE
VICE PRESIDENTIAL OATH OF OFFICE
Administered to Lyndon Baines Johnson
by Speaker of the House of Representatives Sam Rayburn
WATCH HERE
PRAYER
The Reverend Dr. John Barclay,
Central Christian Church
WATCH HERE
POETRY SELECTION
“The Gift Outright”
Robert Frost
The land was ours before we were the land’s.
She was our land more than a hundred years
Before we were her people. She was ours
In Massachusetts, in Virginia,
But we were England’s, still colonials,
Possessing what we still were unpossessed by,
Possessed by what we now no more possessed.
Something we were withholding made us weak
Until we found out that it was ourselves
We were withholding from our land of living,
And forthwith found salvation in surrender.
Such as we were we gave ourselves outright
(The deed of gift was many deeds of war)
To the land vaguely realizing westward,
But still unstoried, artless, unenhanced,
Such as she was, such as she would become.
PRESIDENTIAL OATH OF OFFICE
Administered to John F. Kennedy
by the Honorable Earl Warren,
Chief Justice of the United States
WATCH HERE
BLESSING
Offered by Rabbi Nelson Glueck
WATCH HERE
NATIONAL ANTHEM
Performed by the United States Marine Band
under the direction of Lt. Col. Albert F. Schoepper
WATCH HERE
THE INAUGURAL LUNCHEON
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 Capitol’s Old Senate Chamber.
LUNCHEON MENU
Cream of Tomato Soup with crushed Popcorn
Deviled Crabmeat Imperial
New England Boiled Stuffed Lobster with Drawn Butter
Prime Texas Ribs of Beef au jus
String Beans Amandine or Broiled Tomato
Grapefruit and Avocado Sections with Poppyseed Dressing
Hot Garlic Bread or Butterflake Rolls
Pattiserie Bateau Blanche
Mints or Coffee