Swearing-In Ceremony for President Ronald W. Reagan
Forty-Ninth Inaugural Ceremonies, January 20, 1981
Program
Inaugural Address
‘To a few of us here today, this is a solemn and most momentous occasion; and yet, in the history of our Nation, it is a commonplace occurrence.’
Read the address
(Words: 2463)
Presidential Oath of Office
Administered to Ronald W. Reagan by the Honorable Warren E. Burger, Chief Justice of the United States.
Architect of the Capitol
- Bible Used: Family Bible given to him by his mother, open to II Chronicles 7:14
- Attire: Formal morning coat, striped trousers
Vice Presidential Oath of Office
Administered to George H.W. Bush.
Location
West Front,
U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC
Weather
Mostly cloudy and mild, with a noon temperature of 55°F.
Facts, Firsts & Precedents
First Inauguration held on the west front of the U.S. Capitol.
Reagan's first Inauguration was also the warmest on record with a noon temperature of 55
Inaugural Committee
- Sen. Mark Hatfield (R-OR), Chair
- Sen. Howard K. Baker Jr. (R-TN)
- Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-WV)
- Sen. Claiborne Pell (D-RI)
- Rep. John J. Rhodes (R-AZ)
- Rep. Robert H. Michel (R-IL)
- Rep. Thomas P. O’Neill Jr. (D-MA)
- Rep. Jim Wright (D-TX)
Video
U.S. Senate Recording Studio
For the first time, an inauguration ceremony was held on the terrace of the West Front of the Capitol. Chief Justice Warren Burger administered the oath of office to the former broadcaster, screen actor, and Governor of California. In the election of 1980, the Republicans won the White House and a majority in the Senate. On inauguration day, American hostages held by the revolutionary government of Iran were released.