Swearing-In Ceremony for President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Thirty-Eighth Inaugural Ceremonies, January 20, 1937
Prayer
the Reverend ZeBarney T. Phillips, D. D., Chaplain of the Senate
Vice Presidential Oath of Office
Administered to John Nance Garner by the Honorable Joseph T. Robinson, Senator.
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
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)
Benediction
The Right Reverend Monsignor John A. Ryan, D. D., of the Catholic University, Washington, D. C.,
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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.
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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.
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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)