41ST INAUGURAL CEREMONIES
HARRY S.
TRUMAN
January 20, 1949
ALBEN W.
BARKLEY
INAUGURAL COMMITTEE
Sen. Carl T. Hayden (D-AZ), Chair
Sen. J. Howard McGrath (D-RI)
Sen. Kenneth S. Wherry (R-NE)
Rep. Harry R. Sheppard (D-CA)
Rep. John W. McCormack (D-MA)
Rep. Charles A. Halleck (R-IN)
THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONIES
The Swearing-In Ceremony:
Harry S. Truman was sworn-in for his first full term as the 33rd President of the United States, and Alben W. Barkley was sworn-in as the 35th Vice President of the United States.
Location:
East Portico, U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C.
Weather:
Mostly sunny and windy. Estimated noon temperature of 38°F.
Bible:
Truman used two Bibles: the first was the same Bible he used in 1945 when he was sworn-in upon the death of Franklin Roosevelt, open to Matthew 5 (Beatitudes). The second was a Gutenberg facsimile given to him by the Independence, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, opened to Exodus 20 (the Ten Commandments).
FACTS, FIRSTS, AND PRECEDENTS
First televised Inaugural Ceremony; Truman reinstated the Inaugural Ball.
PRAYER
Reverend Edward Hughes Pruden, minister, First Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.
NATIONAL ANTHEM
Performed by Phil Regan of Brooklyn, NY accompanied by the United States Marine Band, led by Maj. William F. Santelmann.
VICE PRESIDENTIAL OATH OF OFFICE
Administered to Alben W. Barkley by the Honorable Stanley F. Reed, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
PRAYER
Rabbi Samuel Thurman of the United Hebrew Temple, St. Louis, MO
PRESIDENTIAL OATH OF OFFICE
Administered to Harry S. Truman by the Honorable Frederick Vinson, Chief Justice of the United States.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
President Harry S. Truman
BENEDICTION
The Most Reverend Patrick A. O’Boyle, Archbishop of Washington
