49TH INAUGURAL CEREMONIES
PRESIDENT
RONALD W.
REAGAN
January 20, 1981
VICE PRESIDENT
GEORGE H.W.
BUSH
January 20, 1981
INAUGURAL COMMITTEE
Sen. Mark Hatfield (R-OR), Chair
Sen. Howard H. Baker Jr. (R-TN)
Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-WV)
Sen. Claiborne Pell (D-RI)
Rep. John J. Rhodes (R-AZ)
Rep. Robert H. Michel (R-IL)
Rep. Thomas P. O’Neill Jr. (D-MA)
Rep. Jim Wright (D-TX)
ABOUT THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONIES
Ronald Reagan was sworn-in as the 40th President of the United States, and George H. W. Bush was sworn-in as the 43rd Vice President of the United States.
Location:
West Front, U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC
Weather:
Mostly cloudy and mild, with a noon temperature of 55°F.
Bible Used:
Family Bible given to him by his mother, open to II Chronicles 7:14.
FACTS, FIRSTS, & PRECEDENTS
First Inauguration held on the west front of the U.S. Capitol; Reagan’s first Inauguration was also the warmest on record with a noon temperature of 55°F.
FILM FOOTAGE OF THE 49th INAUGURAL CEREMONIES
MUSICAL SELECTION
“America the Beautiful”
performed by Master Gunnery Sgt. Michael Ryan,
Baritone, United States Marine Band
WATCH HERE
VICE PRESIDENTIAL OATH OF OFFICE
Administered to George H. W. Bush
by the Honorable Potter Stewart,
Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court
WATCH HERE
MUSICAL SELECTION
“God of Our Fathers”
United States Marine Band
WATCH HERE
PRESIDENTIAL OATH OF OFFICE
Administered to Ronald W. Reagan
by the Honorable Warren E. Burger,
Chief Justice of the United States
WATCH HERE
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
“ …this is a solemn and most momentous occasion; and yet, in the history of our Nation, it is a commonplace occurrence. The orderly transfer of authority as called for in the Constitution routinely takes place as it has for almost two centuries and few of us stop to think how unique we really are. In the eyes of many in the world, this every-4-year ceremony we accept as normal is nothing less than a miracle.”
President Ronald W. Reagan
WATCH HERE
SIGNING CEREMONY
After the departure of the former President and First Lady, the new President gathers in the President’s Room just off of the Senate Chamber to sign nominations and sometimes memorandums, proclamations, or executive orders. President Reagan, surrounded by the JCCIC Members and Vice President Bush, signs his first official actions taken as the newly sworn President of the United States—an Executive Order on the federal hiring freeze and cabinet member nominations.
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 National Statuary Hall. During the luncheon, President Reagan announced the official release of hostages in Iran.
LUNCHEON MENU
FIRST COURSE
The California Garden Salad
SECOND COURSE
Medallions of Chicken Piquante with Rice Pilaf
Fresh Asparagus with Lemon Vinaigrette
THIRD COURSE
Strawberries Framboise
ENTERTAINMENT
Army Strolling Strings and Air Force Quartet
LUNCHEON TIMELINE
WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS
The Honorable Mark O. Hatfield
Chairman, Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies
REMARKS AND TOAST
President Ronald W. Reagan
Vice President George H. W. Bush
PASS IN REVIEW
President Ronald W. Reagan, First Lady Nancy Reagan, Vice President George H. W. Bush, and Second Lady Barbara Bush, along with Maj. Gen. Bradley A. Becker, U.S. Army, is commander of the Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region (JFHQ-NCR), stand on the steps of the East Front to participate in the Pass in Review prior to departing the Capitol for the Inaugural Parade to the White House.
