Swearing-In Ceremony for President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Fortieth Inaugural Ceremonies, January 20, 1945
Invocation
The Right Reverend Angus Dun, Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Diocese of Washington
Vice Presidential Oath of Office
Administered to Harry S. Truman by the Honorable Henry A. Wallace, Vice President.
Library of Congress
Presidential Oath of Office
Administered to Franklin D. Roosevelt by the Honorable Harlan F. Stone, Chief Justice of the United States.
Library of Congress
- Bible Used: Same family Bible used for his 1933, 1937, and 1941 inaugurations, open to I Corinthians 13
- Attire: Dark business suit
Inaugural Address
‘Mr. Chief Justice, Mr. Vice President, my friends, you will understand and, I believe, agree with my wish that the form of this inauguration be simple and its words brief.’
Read the address
(Words: 557)
Benediction
The Right Reverend Monsignor John A. Ryan, director of the Social Action Department of the National Catholic Welfare Conference
Location
South Portico,
The White House
Washington, DC
Weather
Light snow ended around 9 am that morning. Cloudy skies. Estimated noon temperature of 35°F.
Facts, Firsts & Precedents
First and only President sworn in for a fourth term; had simple Inaugural ceremony at the White House.
At the height of WWII, Franklin D. Roosevelt's fourth Inauguration was simple and austere with no fanfare or formal celebration following the event.There was no parade because of gas rationing and a lumber shortage.
Inaugural Committee
- Sen. Harry F. Byrd (D-VA), Chair
- Sen. Kenneth D. McKellar (D-TN)
- Sen. Arthur H. Vandenberg (R-MI)
- Rep. Sam T. Rayburn (D-TX)
- Rep. Robert L. Doughton (D-NC)
- Rep. Joseph W. Martin (R-MA)