Swearing-In Ceremony for President Ronald W. Reagan

Forty-Ninth Inaugural Ceremonies, January 20, 1981

‘To a few of us here today, this is a solemn and most momentous occasion; and yet, in the history of our Nation, it is a commonplace occurrence.’

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

Bible Used: Family Bible given to him by his mother, open to II Chronicles 7:14
Attire: Formal morning coat, striped trousers

Administered to George H.W. Bush.

Location

West Front,
U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC

Weather

Mostly cloudy and mild, with a noon temperature of 55°F.
Facts, Firsts & Precedents
- First Inauguration held on the west front of the U.S. Capitol.
- Reagan's first Inauguration was also the warmest on record with a noon temperature of 55
Inaugural Committee
- Sen. Mark Hatfield (R-OR), Chair
- Sen. Howard K. Baker Jr. (R-TN)
- Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-WV)
- Sen. Claiborne Pell (D-RI)
- Rep. John J. Rhodes (R-AZ)
- Rep. Robert H. Michel (R-IL)
- Rep. Thomas P. O’Neill Jr. (D-MA)
- Rep. Jim Wright (D-TX)