The word inauguration, or inaugurate, derives from the Latin inaugurare, meaning “to increase”. The root of inaugurare, augēre, is where the word augur comes from, a word that eventually came to mean “favorable omen”, and was the title of the official diviners of ancient Rome. When the word inaugurate came to English, it brought with it the meaning “to consecrate by augury”, referring to the ancient Roman tradition of consulting an augur before undertaking a political or military action. Therefore, inaugurate slowly left its Roman origins, and by the 14th century, was used in English documents as meaning “to induct into office with suitable ceremonies”. During George Washington’s presidency, Alexander Hamilton used the word inauguration to describe Washington’s ceremony of being sworn into office, and in 1790, The Massachusetts Magazine published the headline “Washington inaugurated President, April 30”.
Until the 20th Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed in 1937, Inauguration Day always occurred on March 4, or March 5 if the 4th was a weekend. The 20th Amendment was championed by Senator George Norris of Nebraska, and was nicknamed the “lame duck” amendment, as it addressed the issue of a president who lost an election still holding office for months afterwards.
Planned by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies and the Presidential Inaugural Committee, Inauguration Day traditionally follows the general outline of swearing-in ceremony, president’s room signing ceremony, inaugural luncheon, review of the troops, presidential parade and reception, and the inaugural balls. The 2025 inauguration schedule followed a four day plan.
The festivities began on Saturday, January 18 with a party and fireworks display at Trump National Golf Club in Virginia. Sunday, January 19, the then-president elect visited Arlington National Cemetery, followed by a rally at Capital One Arena, and a candlelight dinner with supporters.
On January 20, 2025, Vice President J.D. Vance was sworn in first, with his wife, mother, and three young children looking on. Vice President Vance took the following oath: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.” The vice presidential oath is the same oath that senators, representatives, and federal employees take. The vice presidential oath has been in use since 1884.
President Donald J. Trump was then sworn in for his second term in office, taking the following oath: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” The presidential oath of office is found in Article II, Section I of the United States Constitution.
Though the inauguration ceremony is typically held outside, in front of the Capitol building, due to cold weather the ceremony was moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda. After the swearing-in ceremony, President Trump retired to the Oval Office to sign a number of executive orders, a tradition for newly-inaugurated presidents. Monday evening, three inaugural balls were held: the Commander in Chief Ball, the Liberty Ball, and the Starlight Ball.
Tuesday, January 21, inauguration activities ended with the national prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral. According to the cathedral website, “In this special service, the Cathedral will gather with our interfaith and ecumenical partners to offer prayers of thanksgiving for our democracy and to seek God’s guidance in the years ahead.” Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde preached at the service, and music was provided by the Cathedral Choir, the Cathedral Contemporary Ensemble, and guest musicians. The stated goal of the service was to “gather to seek healing, unity and wisdom in the months to come.”
