Swearing-In Ceremony for President Lyndon Baines Johnson
Forty-Fifth Inaugural Ceremonies, January 20, 1965
Program
Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks
- B. Everett Jordan
Musical Selection
"Stars and Stripes Forever" performed by the United States Marine Band under the direction of Lt. Col. Albert F. Schoepper.
Invocation
The Most Reverend Robert E. Lucey, S.T.D., archbishop of San Antonio
Musical Selection
"Hail, America" performed by the United States Marine Band under the direction of Lt. Col. Albert F. Schoepper.
Musical Selection
A special arrangement of "America, the Beautiful" performed by Leontyne Price accompanied by the United States Marine Band.
Prayer
Rabbi Hyman Judah Schachtel, Congregation Beth Israel, Houston, TX
Vice Presidential Oath of Office
Administered to Hubert Humphrey by the Honorable John W. McCormack, Speaker of the House of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Library of Congress
Prayer
Reverend George R. Davis, minister National City Christian Church of Washington, DC
Presidential Oath of Office
Administered to Lyndon Baines Johnson by the Honorable Earl Warren, Chief Justice of the United States.
UPI/Library of Congress
- Bible Used: Johnson took the oath on the same family Bible he used at his Vice Presidential Inauguration in 1961. It was closed.
- Attire: Morning coat, striped trousers
Inaugural Address
‘ My fellow countrymen, on this occasion, the oath I have taken before you and before God is not mine alone, but ours together.’
Read the address
(Words: 1492)
Musical Selection
"This is My Country" performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, conducted by Richard P. Condie
Benediction
His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos, Greek Orthodox archbishop of North and South America
The National Anthem
Performed by the United States Marine Band
Location
East Portico,
U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC
Weather
Skies were cloudy and one inch of snow lay on the ground. Estimated temperature of 38°F.
Facts, Firsts & Precedents
Security for Johnson's Inauguration was tight following the assasination of John F. Kennedy in 1963. For the first time, the President rode in a bullet-proofed limousine.
Inaugural Committee
- Sen. B. Everett Jordan (D-NC), Chair
- Sen. John J. Sparkman (D-AL)
- Sen. Leverett Saltonstall (R-MA)
- Rep. John W. McCormack (D-MA)
- Rep. Carl B. Albert (D-OK)
- Rep. Charles A. Halleck (R-IN)
Video
Library of Congress
President Johnson had first taken the oath of office on board Air Force One on November 22, 1963, the day President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. The election of 1964 was a landslide victory for the Democratic Party. Mrs. Johnson joined the President on the platform on the East Front of the Capitol; she was the first wife to stand with her husband as he took the oath of office. The oath was administered by Chief Justice Earl Warren. Leontyne Price sang at the ceremony.