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No, that's not a summary of deleted scenes from "The Hangover." It's a list of some of the more interesting highlights from our nation's rich history of past presidential inaugurations.
Besides the pomp and circumstance, the inauguration -- with its associated balls and parades -- is a logistical puzzle, complete with all the potential chaos that comes with organizing a heavily attended event in wintertime, in a swamp of an East Coast city.
Recommended - Inauguration playlist: Jam to Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson and more
From mishaps to glory, here are a few pieces of inaugural trivia you can use to impress your friends and neighbors.
** As vice president, an ill Andrew Johnson became so intoxicated on the day of Lincoln's inauguration that he gave a rambling speech about himself before becoming too confused to perform his duty swearing in the new senators. "The inauguration went off very well except that the Vice President Elect was too drunk to perform his duties & disgraced himself and the Senate by making a drunken foolish speech," wrote Sen. Zachariah Chandler of Michigan at the time.
Abraham Lincoln swore the oath in front of an incomplete Capitol dome. Lyndon B. Johnson became president on Air Force One next to a dazed Jacqueline Kennedy. A collection of photographs from past presidential inaugurations.
** Good trivia: First president of the United States who was not born a British subject? Martin Van Buren, inaugurated 1837.
** Even better trivia: First president to wear long trousers instead of knee breeches? John Quincy Adams, 1825.
** At the very first inauguration in 1789, the Bible used by President George Washington was hastily opened to Genesis 49:13, which reads, "Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon."
** In 2009, President Barack Obama used the Lincoln Bible, used by Abraham Lincoln at his presidential inauguration. The book, published in 1853, has 1,280 pages.
** For John F. Kennedy's inauguration in 1961, a morning snow left an accumulation of about eight inches. Army flame throwers were used to clear it from Pennsylvania Avenue.
** The estimated temperature at Ronald Reagan's first inaugural was a balmy 55 degrees Fahrenheit. At his second, it was a frigid seven -- the coldest inauguration on record -- and the ceremony had to be held inside.
Andrea Mitchell's been covering presidential inaugurations for over three decades. Here's a look at some of the highlights.
** At another chilly celebration, in 1873, guests at President Ulysses S. Grant's ball had to dance in their coats because the temporary structure built for the occasion was so frigid. Champagne became Slurpee-like in consistency, and the flock of canaries brought in for guests' enjoyment ended up freezing to death.
** After the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson was sworn in at his residence at the Kirkwood House on Pennsylvania Avenue. The site is now a high-rise.
** After Kennedy was assassinated, Lyndon Johnson took the oath of office on Air Force One. It was the first time the presidential or vice presidential oath of office was administered by a woman, U.S. District Judge Sarah T. Hughes.
Related: Watching the presidential inauguration with NBC News
** The first televised inaugural ceremony was Harry Truman's in 1949. The first broadcast nationally by radio was Calvin Coolidge's in 1925. The first known photographs from an inauguration were in 1857 at the ceremony for James Buchanan.
** The tradition of inaugural balls is traced to the first one thrown for James and Dolley Madison. Tickets to the 1809 gala, held at Long's Hotel, were $4 apiece.
** A grand ball for James Buchanan in 1857 included 400 gallons of oysters, 75 hams and $3,000 worth of wine. (That's more than $70,000 in today's money.)
Sources: Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, Senate Historical Office.
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Obama care increases the number of jobs by eliminating 1 full time job with benefits and turning it into 2 part time jobs with no benefits.
WHat the heck is that book they are using for the swearing? Two covers on something rather small. Looks more like a kids diary cover on a Tablet than it does a Bible.
Top states of non tax paying citizen sucking up the economy http://www.taxfoundation.org/sites/taxfoundation.org/files/UserFiles/Image/Fiscal%20Facts/20100524-229-nonpayers-map-.jpg
False E-Mail Sent to FactCheck.org Readers
Received January 6, 2008
Who is Barack Obama?
Very interesting and something that should be considered in your choice.
If you do not ever forward anything else, please forward this to all your contacts…this is very scary to think of what lies ahead of us here in our own United States…better heed this and pray about it and share it.
We checked this out on "snopes.com". It is factual. Check for yourself.
Who is Barack Obama?
Probable U. S. presidential candidate, Barack Hussein Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Barack Hussein Obama, Sr., a black MUSLIM from Nyangoma-Kogel, Kenya and Ann Dunham, a white ATHEIST from Wichita, Kansas.
Obama's parents met at the University of Hawaii. When Obama was two years old, his parents divorced. Hi s father returned to Kenya. His mother then married Lolo Soetoro, a RADICAL Muslim from Indonesia.?
When Obama was 6 years old, the family relocate to Indonesia. Obama attended a MUSLIM school in Jakarta. He also spent two years in a Catholic school.
Obama takes great care to conceal the fact that he is a Muslim.
He is quick to point out that, "He was once a Muslim, but that he also attended Catholic school."
Obama's political handlers are attempting to make it appear that
that he is not a radical.
Obama's introduction to Islam came via his father, and that this influence was temporary at best. In reality, the senior Obama returned to Kenya soon after the divorce, and never again had any direct influence over his son's education.
Lolo Soetoro, the second husband of Obama's mother, Ann Dunham, introduced his stepson to Islam. Obama was enrolled in a Wahabi school in Jakarta.
Wahabism is the RADICAL teaching that is followed by the Muslim terrorists who are now waging Jihad against the western world. Since it is politically expedient to be a CHRISTIAN when seeking major public office in the United States, Barack Hussein Obama has joined the United Church of Christ in an attempt to downplay his Muslim background. ALSO, keep in mind that when he was sworn into office he DID NOT use the Holy Bible, but instead the Koran.
Barack Hussein Obama will NOT recite the Pledge of Allegiance nor will he show any reverence for our flag. While others place their hands over their hearts, Obama turns his back to the flag and slouches.
Let us all remain alert concerning Obama's expected presidential candidacy.
The Muslims have said they plan on destroying the US from the inside out, what better way to start than at the highest level – through the President of the United States, one of their own!!!!
Please forward to everyone you know. Would you want this man leading our country?…… NOT ME!!!
This sounds like a whole lot of people on this site. I hope you realize how ridiculous you are
William Henry Harrison gave the longest inaugural speech ever in 1841. The problem was that he gave it on a freezing cold day even though his had doctor told him not to and caught pneumonia. As a result, he ended up serving the shortest presidency ever and became the first president to die in office. He really should have listened to his doctor.
Beginning with Obama, we'll probably never have another American president anyway. Depends on when enough anchor babys can begin voting. With a Mexican president our resourses and whatever wealth is left, will head south.
Stock prices are lower than 5.25 years ago.
Don't just love the propaganda in this article?
2001 - GWB Hundreds throws eggs and tomatoes at the Bush motorcade so many that he could not even exit.
Contrast that with Both President Obama's...He was loved and cheered.
Facts don't Lie....The Bush years were the worst.