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

Swearing-In Ceremony for President Ronald W. Reagan

Fiftieth Inaugural Ceremonies, January 21, 1985

Inaugural Address

‘Senator Mathias, Chief Justice Burger, Vice President Bush, Speaker O’Neill, Senator Dole, Reverend Clergy, members of my family and friends, and my fellow citizens: This day has been made brighter with the presence here of one who, for a time, has been absent—Senator John Stennis.’

Read the address
(Words: 2564)

Presidential Oath of Office

Administered to Ronald W. Reagan by the Honorable Warren E. Burger, Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

U.S. Senate Photo Studio

  • Bible Used: Family Bible, given to him by his mother, open to II Chronicles 7:14. (Same Bible used at his 1981 Inauguration)
  • Attire: Business suit

Vice Presidential Oath of Office

Administered to George H.W. Bush.

U.S. Senate Photo Studio

  • Location

    Rotunda,
    U.S. Capitol
    Washington, DC

    Weather

    It was sunny, but bitter cold. Wind chill temperatures fell into the -10°F to -20°F range in the afternoon. Estimated noon temperature of 7°F.

  • Facts, Firsts & Precedents

    • Coldest Inauguration day on record, with a noon temperature of 7°F.

    • January 20th fell on Sunday, so Reagan was privately sworn in that day at the White House; public Inauguration on January 21st took place in the Capitol Rotunda, due to freezing weather

  • Inaugural Committee