The inauguration of the president of the United States is a ceremony to mark the commencement of a new four-year term of the president of the United States. The inauguration takes place for each new presidential term, even if the president is continuing in office for a second term. Since 1937, it has taken place at noon EST on January 20, the first day of the new term, some 72 to 78 days after the presidential election, except for three occasions when January 20 fell on a Sunday. In those years, the presidential oath of office was administered on that day privately and then again in a public ceremony the next day, on Monday, January 21. The most recent presidential inauguration was held on January 20, 2017, when Donald Trump assumed office; the next is scheduled to take place on January 20, 2021, when Joe Biden will assume office.
1. President Woodrow Wilson
View of the large crowd gathered at the United States Capitol to witness President Woodrow Wilson's second inauguration, Washington DC, 1917. Photo: Interim Archives
2. Ulysses S. Grant and Schuyler Colfax taking the oath of office administered by Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase on the east portico of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C, March 4th 1869, before a large crowd. (Photo by: Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Ulysses S. Grant and Schuyler Colfax taking the oath of office administered by Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase on the east portico of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C, 1869 Photo: Photo 12
3. President Richard Nixon
Recently elected 37th President of the United States, Richard Nixon (1913-1994) delivers his inaugural speech from a podium during the inauguration ceremony in front of the Capitol in Washington D.C. on 20th January 1969. Outgoing President Lyndon Johnson is seated to the left of President Nixon. (Photo by Rolls Press/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images) Photo: Rolls Press/Popperfoto
4. President Bill Clinton
President Clinton addresses the crowd at the U.S. Capitol Building following his inauguration as the 42nd President of the United States of America. Photo: Wally McNamee