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

Swearing-In Ceremony for President Richard M. Nixon

Forty-Sixth Inaugural Ceremonies, January 20, 1969

 

Program

Prelude

"The Stars and Stripes Forever" by the United States Marine Band

Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks

  • Everett M. Dirksen

Invocation

The Right Reverend Charles Ewbank Tucker, presiding bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church

Musical Selection

"God Bless America" performed by the United States Marine Band under the direction of Lt. Col. Albert F. Schoepper

Prayer

Rabbi Edgar F. Magnin

Vice Presidential Oath of Office

Administered to Spiro T. Agnew by the Honorable Everett M. Dirksen, Senator of the U.S. Senate.

Prayer

The Most Reverend Iakovos, primate of North and South America for the Greek Orthodox Church

Musical Selection

"This is My Country" performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir of Salt Lake City

Prayer

The Reverend Billy Graham

Presidential Oath of Office

Administered to Richard M. Nixon by the Honorable Earl Warren, Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Architect of the Capitol

  • Bible Used: Two brown leather family Bibles, both open to Isaiah 2:4
  • Attire: Morning coat and striped trousers

Inaugural Address

‘I ask you to share with me today the majesty of this moment. In the orderly transfer of power, we celebrate the unity that keeps us free.’

Read the address
(Words: 2123)

The National Anthem

Performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir accompanied by the United States Marine Band

Benediction

The Most Reverend Terence J. Cooke, Archbishop of New York

  • Location

    East Portico,
    U.S. Capitol
    Washington, DC

    Weather

    It was cloudy with rain and sleet later in the day. Estimated noon temperature of 35°F.

  • Facts, Firsts & Precedents

    • Took the oath of office on two Bibles; both family heirlooms.

    • Nixon's Inauguration included an official, three-faith prayer service, open to the public, in the West Auditorium of the State Department.

  • Inaugural Committee

Video

U.S. Senate Recording Studio

An almost-winner of the 1960 election, and a close winner of the 1968 election, the former Vice President and California Senator and Congressman had defeated the Democratic Vice President, Hubert Humphrey, and the American Independent Party candidate, George Wallace. Chief Justice Earl Warren administered the oath of office for the fifth time. The President addressed the large crowd from a pavilion on the East Front of the Capitol. The address was televised by satellite around the world.