The Fifty-Seventh Presidential Inauguration on January 21, 2013 presented by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

Swearing-In Ceremony for President William J. Clinton

Fifty-Second Inaugural Ceremonies, January 20, 1993

Program

Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks

  • Wendell H. Ford

Invocation

  • The Reverend Billy Graham

Musical Selection

“City on the Hill” composed by Dr. Marvin V. Curtis and performed by the Philander Smith Collegiate Choir from Little Rock, Arkansas under the direction of Stephen L. Hayes.

Vice Presidential Oath of Office

Administered to Albert A. Gore Jr. by the Honorable Byron White, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

William J. Clinton Presidential Library

Musical Selection

An American medley sung by Marilyn Horned that included “Simple Gifts” by Aaron Copeland and “Make a Rainbow” by Portia Nelson.

Musical Selection

“The Liberty Bell” performed by the United States Marine Band.

Presidential Oath of Office

Administered to William J. Clinton by the Honorable William Rehnquist, Chief Justice of the United States.

Architect of the Capitol

  • Bible Used: King James Bible, given to him by grandmother, open to Galatians 6:8
  • Attire: Dark business suit, blue tie

Inaugural Address

‘My fellow citizens, today, we celebrate the mystery of American renewal.’

Read the address
(Words: 1580)

Poem

“On the Pulse of Morning” composed and recited by Dr. Maya Angelou.

Benediction

  • The Reverend Billy Graham

The National Anthem

Marilyn Horne

Location

West Front,
U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC

Weather

Sunny and pleasant with estimated noon temperature of 40°F.

Facts, Firsts & Precedents

Inaugural Committee

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Video

U.S. Senate Recording Studio

At forty-six years old, William Jefferson ("Bill") Clinton was the third-youngest president, and the first of the post-World War II "Baby Boom" generation to reach the Oval Office. Clinton defeated incumbent President George Bush and Independent candidate Ross Perot. Chief Justice William Rehnquist administered the oath of office. Marilyn Horne sang at the ceremony, and poet Maya Angelou read her poem "On the Pulse of Morning," which she wrote especially for the inauguration.