Presidential inaugurations commemorate some of the most defining moments in American history, allowing presidents to establish traditions and energize the American people.
Some inauguration ceremonies make history, while others are remembered for their comical missteps and brawls.
Ahead of President-elect Donald Trump taking the oath of office for the second time on Monday, here are some of the most important inaugural moments in U.S. history.
Nancy Pelosi to skip President Trump’s inauguration
George Washington’s first inaugural address
The story of a tradition is incomplete without its origins. President George Washington gave the first ever inaugural address on April 30, 1789, just two weeks after Congress unanimously elected him the nation’s leader.
George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States on April 30, 1789 at Old City Hall in New York. (Heritage Art/Heritage Images (via Getty Images))
In his 10-minute speech, he cited “God’s blessing” on the nation’s founding and expressed gratitude to “the good parents of mankind” for the deliberations that led to the founding of the country and the unity of the American people.
Andrew Jackson’s White House Mob
President Andrew Jackson had about 20,000 supporters attend a celebration around the White House after his first inauguration in 1829.
However, the mob soon became unruly, fights broke out, and furniture was destroyed. Jackson eventually escaped through a window to safety at a nearby hotel, according to the National Archives.
Excitement at the White House after President Andrew Jackson’s inauguration in 1829. (Bettman/Contributor/Getty Images)
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White House officials then filled a bathtub outside the White House with whiskey and orange juice to remove the crowd from the building.
William Henry Harrison’s only inauguration
President William Henry Harrison gave his inaugural address on a bitterly cold day in March 1841. He refused to wear a coat and traveled to and from the inauguration ceremony on horseback. Harrison’s speech was the longest in U.S. history, lasting over two hours.
President William Henry Harrison’s Inauguration on March 4, 1841 (Library of Congress)
A few weeks after Inauguration Day, Mr. Harrison caught a cold and developed pneumonia, and died on April 4, just a month after taking office.
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first inauguration
President Franklin D. Roosevelt first took the oath of office in 1933 during the Great Depression.
It was during his first inaugural address that he delivered a line now known to virtually every American. “What we have to fear is fear itself.”
President Franklin D. Roosevelt (center) watches the inaugural parade in Washington, DC, on March 4, 1933. (AP photo, file)
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Roosevelt’s determined leadership led Americans through both the Great Depression and World War II.
President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address
President John F. Kennedy took office on January 20, 1961, setting out a course that would place him in America’s halls of fame.
“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,” he urged.
President John F. Kennedy delivers his inaugural address from the East Portico of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Bettman/Contributor/Getty Images)
Kennedy’s words took the nation to the moon, and to this day, polls rank him as the most beloved recent president.
barack obama’s first inaugural speech
President Barack Obama’s first inauguration was notable not only for the fact that he was the first African-American president, but also for the historical uniqueness of having to take the oath twice.
President Obama and Chief Justice John Roberts spoke briefly with each other while Roberts took the oath of office. As a result, Roberts made the mistake of saying, “I will carry out my duties as president faithfully to the United States.”
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Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. (right) administers the oath of office to President Barack Obama for the second time in the Map Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on January 21, 2009. (Pete Souza/The White House via Getty Images) ))
President Obama later repeated that phrase, which is incorrect. The correct wording for the oath in the Constitution is “to faithfully perform the duties of President of the United States.”
The ceremony went ahead without incident, but Obama and Roberts reunited the next day at the White House to properly administer the oath.
Anders Hagström is a reporter for Fox News Digital, covering national politics and major breaking news. Send your tips to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com or Twitter:@Hagstrom_Anders.
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