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

Swearing-In Ceremony for President James E. Carter

Forty-Eighth Inaugural Ceremonies, January 20, 1977

Program

Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks

  • Howard W. Cannon

Courtesy of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library

Musical Selection

"America the Beautiful" performed by the United States Marine Band

Invocation

Bishop William R. Cannon of the United Methodist Church in Atlanta, GA

Courtesy of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library

Musical Selection

"Battle Hymn of the Republic" sung by selected voices from Atlanta University, Clark Morehouse, Morris Brown, and Spelman Colleges, and the Interdenominational Theological Center conducted by Dr. Wendell P. Whalum and accompanied by the U.S. Marine Band

Vice Presidential Oath of Office

Administered to Walter Mondale by the Honorable Thomas P. O’Neill Jr., Speaker of the House of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Library of Congress

Presidential Oath of Office

Administered to James E. Carter by the Honorable Warren E. Burger, Chief Justice of the United States.

Architect of the Capitol

  • Bible Used: Family Bible, open to VI Micah 6:8, and the Bible used by George Washington (belonging to St. John's Mason Lodge No. 1)
  • Attire: Business suit (breaking with tradition of formal attire followed by predecessors)

Inaugural Address

‘For myself and for our Nation, I want to thank my predecessor for all he has done to heal our land.’

Read the address
(Words: 1228)

Benediction

The Most Reverend John R. Roach, archbishop of St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN

The National Anthem

Cantor Issac Goodfriend of Atlanta, GA accompanied by the U.S. Marine Band

Courtesy of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library

Location

East Portico,
U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC

Weather

It was cold and sunny. The wind chill temperature was in the teens. Estimated noon temperature of 28°F.

Facts, Firsts & Precedents

  • Jimmy Carter was the first President to walk from the Capitol to the White House in the parade following the swearing-in ceremony.

  • Carter requested that the Inaugural luncheon, hosted by the JCCIC be canceled.

Inaugural Committee

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Video

U.S. Senate Recording Studio

The Democrats reclaimed the White House in the 1976 election. The Governor from Georgia defeated Gerald Ford, who had become President on August 9, 1974, upon the resignation of President Nixon. The oath of office was taken on the Bible used in the first inauguration by George Washington; it was administered by Chief Justice Warren Burger on the East Front of the Capitol. The new President and his family surprised the spectators by walking from the Capitol to the White House after the ceremony.