Inauguration Day: Why US presidents are sworn in on January 20

The first president to be sworn in on January 20

An optimal deadline for the presidential transition

More favorable weather conditions than in December

A long tradition

Like a lot of his predecessors, Donald Trump will take the oath of office on a January 20 in Washington, DC. It’s the tradition known as "Inauguration Day." But when, how and why was this specific date chosen?

Until 1933 it was held on March 4

Until 1933, Inauguration Day was held on March 4, with the exception of George Washington's first inauguration, which took place on April 30, 1789.

A date linked to the Constitution

The choice of March 4 was to reflect the day in 1789 when the federal government officially began operations under the United States Constitution.

Too long a delay

However, they came to realize that the time between the November election and the president's inauguration in March was too long.

Photo: Harry Truman’s inauguration, January 20, 1949.

They found faster ways to count votes

A Library of Congress article points out that, thanks to advances in communications and transportation, election officials no longer needed such a long period of time to tabulate and certify election results.

Photo: Jimmy Carter's inauguration, January 20, 1977.

The "lame duck" period

Furthermore, it was necessary to reduce the period of "lame duck," a term used to describe an outgoing president who loses his influence and is perceived as weakened.

How January 20 was chosen

So in 1933, the 20th Amendment was ratified to set the new date for the presidential inauguration to January 20, allowing for a quicker and more efficient transition between administrations.

The first president to be sworn in on January 20

Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first president to be sworn in on January 20, during his second inauguration in 1937 (pictured).

An optimal deadline for the presidential transition

The date allows time to count electoral votes and resolve any disputes, while also giving the outgoing president the opportunity to settle the remaining business of his term.

Photo: Ronald Reagan's inauguration, January 20, 1981.

More favorable weather conditions than in December

Additionally, the date avoids severe winter conditions for a ceremony often held outdoors in Washington, while still being close enough to the election.

Photo: Bill Clinton's inauguration, January 20, 1993.

Exceptions

If January 20 falls on a Sunday, the president-elect is still sworn in that day at the White House and officially begins his term, while public celebrations are postponed until the following day, Monday, January 21.

January 21

Said situation has occurred three times: in 1957 (Dwight D. Eisenhower), in 1985 (Ronald Reagan) and in 2013 (Barack Obama).

On the steps of the Capitol

The swearing-in ceremony, traditionally held on the steps of the Capitol, is attended by members of Congress, Supreme Court justices, former presidents, and many guests and spectators. The vice president is also sworn in during the ceremony.

20th Amendment

As the US Constitution states, the term of each elected President of the United States begins at noon on January 20 of the next year following the election.

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