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.
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.
Forty-Second Inaugural Ceremonies
- 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
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Location
East Portico,
U.S. Capitol
Washington, DCWeather
Cloudy skies, with a noon temperature of 49°F.
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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.
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Inaugural Committee
- Sen. Styles Bridges (R-NH), Chair
- Sen. Carl T. Hayden (D-AZ)
- Rep. Leslie C. Arends (R-IL)
- Rep. Joseph W. Martin (R-MA)
- Rep. Sam T. Rayburn (D-TX)