Swearing-In Ceremony for President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Thirty-Eighth Inaugural Ceremonies, January 20, 1937
Inaugural Address
‘When four years ago we met to inaugurate a President, the Republic, single-minded in anxiety, stood in spirit here.’
Read the address
(Words: 1808)
Presidential Oath of Office
Administered to Franklin D. Roosevelt by the Honorable Charles E. Hughes, Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Thirty-Eighth Inaugural Ceremonies
- Bible Used: Same family Bible used for his 1933 Inauguration, open to I Corinthians 13
- Attire: Morning coat and striped trousers
Vice Presidential Oath of Office
Administered to John Nance Garner.
-
Location
East Portico,
U.S. Capitol
Washington, DCWeather
Cold with heavy rains. Between 11 am and 1 pm, 0.69 inches of rain fell. Some sleet and freezing rain fell in the morning. Estimated noon temperature of 33°F.
-
Facts, Firsts & Precedents
First President Inaugurated on January 20th, a change made by the 20th Amendment to the Constitution.
First time the Vice President was sworn-in outdoors on the same platform with the President.
The President and First Lady hosted around 600 guests for a buffet luncheon at the White House in the state dining room and East Room. They served hot coffee, sandwiches, and cake.
-
Inaugural Committee
- Sen. Matthew M. Neely (D-WV), Chair
- Sen. Joseph T. Robinson (D-AR)
- Sen. Frederick Hale (R-ME)
- Rep. John J. O’Connor (D-NY)
- Rep. Robert L. Doughton (D-NC)
- Rep. Bertrand H. Snell (R-NY)