Swearing-In Ceremony for President Harry S. Truman
Forty-First Inaugural Ceremonies, January 20, 1949
Inaugural Address
‘Mr. Vice President, Mr. Chief Justice, and fellow citizens, I accept with humility the honor which the American people have conferred upon me. I accept it with a deep resolve to do all that I can for the welfare of this Nation and for the peace of the world.’
Read the address
(Words: 2273)
Presidential Oath of Office
Administered to Harry S. Truman by the Honorable Frederick Vinson, Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Bible Used: Truman used two Bibles: the first was the same Bible he used in 1945 when he was sworn in upon the death of Franklin Roosevelt, open to Matthew 5 (Beatitudes). The second was a Gutenberg facsimilie given to him by the Independence, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, opened to Exodus 20 (the Ten Commandments).
- Attire: Morning coat, striped trousers, top hat
Vice Presidential Oath of Office
Administered to Alben W. Barkley.
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Location
East Portico,
U.S. Capitol
Washington, DCWeather
Mostly sunny and windy. Estimated noon temperature of 38°F.
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Facts, Firsts & Precedents
First televised Inaugural ceremony
Truman reinstated the Inaugural Ball
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Inaugural Committee
- Sen. Carl T. Hayden (D-AZ), Chair
- Sen. J. Howard McGrath (D-RI)
- Sen. Kenneth S. Wherry (R-NE)
- Rep. Harry R. Sheppard (D-CA)
- Rep. John W. McCormack (D-MA)
- Rep. Charles A. Halleck (R-IN)