The Fifty-Seventh Presidential Inauguration on January 21, 2013 presented by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

Swearing-In Ceremony for President Franklin D. Roosevelt

Fortieth Inaugural Ceremonies, January 20, 1945

 

Inaugural Address

‘Mr. Chief Justice, Mr. Vice President, my friends, you will understand and, I believe, agree with my wish that the form of this inauguration be simple and its words brief.’

Read the address
(Words: 557)

Presidential Oath of Office

Administered to Franklin D. Roosevelt by the Honorable Harlan F. Stone, Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Library of Congress

  • Bible Used: Same family Bible used for his 1933, 1937, and 1941 inaugurations, open to I Corinthians 13
  • Attire: Dark business suit

Vice Presidential Oath of Office

Administered to Harry S Truman.

Library of Congress

  • Location

    South Portico,
    The White House
    Washington, DC

    Weather

    Light snow ended around 9 am that morning. Cloudy skies. Estimated noon temperature of 35°F.

  • Facts, Firsts & Precedents

    • First and only President sworn in for a fourth term; had simple Inaugural ceremony at the White House.

    • At the height of WWII, Franklin D. Roosevelt's fourth Inauguration was simple and austere with no fanfare or formal celebration following the event.There was no parade because of gas rationing and a lumber shortage.

  • Inaugural Committee