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

Swearing-In Ceremony for President Dwight D. Eisenhower

Forty-Second Inaugural Ceremonies, January 20, 1953

 

Invocation

The Most Reverend Patrick A. O'Boyle, Archbishop of Washington

The National Anthem

Performed by Dorothy Maynor accompanied by the United States Marine Band, led by Lt. Col. William F. Santelmann

Vice Presidential Oath of Office

Administered to Richard M. Nixon by the Honorable William Knowland, Senator of the U.S. Senate.

Library of Congress

Musical Selection

"America, the Beautiful" performed by Eugene Conley, accompanied by the United States Marine Band

Prayer

Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver of Cleveland, OH

Presidential Oath of Office

Administered to Dwight D. Eisenhower by the Honorable Frederick Vinson, Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Library of Congress

  • Bible Used: Eisenhower used two Bibles: the Bible used by George Washington in 1789 (belonging to St. John's Masonic Lodge No. 1), opened to II Chronicles 7:14; and his own personal "West Point Bible," opened to Psalm 33:12.
  • Attire: Morning coat, striped trousers

Inaugural Address

‘My friends, before I begin the expression of those thoughts that I deem appropriate to this moment, would you permit me the privilege of uttering a little private prayer of my own.’

Read the address
(Words: 2446)

Benediction

Bishop Henry Knox Sherrill

  • Location

    East Portico,
    U.S. Capitol
    Washington, DC

    Weather

    Cloudy skies, with a noon temperature of 49°F.

  • Facts, Firsts & Precedents

    • Broke precedent by reciting his own prayer after taking the oath, rather than kissing the Bible.

    • First time the JCCIC hosted the Inaugural luncheon at the Capitol.

  • Inaugural Committee