Swearing-In Ceremony for President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Forty-Third Inaugural Ceremonies, January 20, 1957
Program
Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks
- Styles Bridges
Invocation
The Reverend Dr. Edward L.R. Elson, National Presbyterian Church of Washington, DC
National Park Service
The National Anthem
Marian Anderson
National Park Service
Vice Presidential Oath of Office
Administered to Richard M. Nixon by the Honorable William Knowland, Senator of the U.S. Senate.
National Park Service
Prayer
His Eminence Michael, Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church in North and South America
Musical Selection
"America the Beautiful" by the United States Marine Band
Musical Selection
"America" by Brian Sullivan accompanied by the United States Marine Band
Prayer
Dr. Louis Finkelstein, Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America
Presidential Oath of Office
Administered to Dwight D. Eisenhower by the Honorable Earl Warren, Chief Justice of the United States.
Library of Congress
- Bible Used: Eisenhower used his personal "West Point Bible," open to Psalm 33:12
- Attire: Morning coat and striped trousers, Homburg hat
Inaugural Address
‘Mr. Chairman, Mr. Vice President, Mr. Chief Justice, Mr. Speaker, members of my family and friends, my countrymen, and the friends of my country, wherever they may be, we meet again, as upon a like moment four years ago, and again you have witnessed my solemn oath of service to you.’
Read the address
(Words: 1655)
Benediction
Cardinal Edward Mooney, Archbishop of Detroit
The Star Spangled Banner
The United States Marine Band
Location
East Portico,
U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC
Weather
Light snow in the early morning. Cloudy skies with a few flurries in the afternoon. Estimated noon temperature of 44°F.
Facts, Firsts & Precedents
Library of Congress
Forty-Third Inaugural Ceremonies
Library of Congress
Dwight D. Eisenhower takes the oath of office in a private ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Sunday, January 20, 1957.
January 20, 1957 fell on a Sunday, so Eisenhower was sworn in privately that day by Chief Justice Earl Warren in the White House East Room. His public Inauguration was held on Monday, January 21, 1957.
Inaugural Committee
- Sen. Styles Bridges (R-NH), Chair
- Sen. John J. Sparkman (D-AL)
- Sen. Theodore F. Green (D-RI)
- Rep. Joseph W. Martin (R-MA)
- Rep. Sam T. Rayburn (D-TX)
- Rep. John W. McCormack (D-MA)
Video
U.S. Senate Recording Studio
January 20 occurred on a Sunday, so the President took the oath in the East Room at the White House that morning. The next day he repeated the oath of office on the East Portico of the Capitol. Chief Justice Earl Warren administered the oath of office on the President’s personal Bible from West Point. Marian Anderson sang at the ceremony at the Capitol. A large parade and four inaugural balls followed the ceremony.