From Ronald Reagan to Donald Trump: Four Decades of Presidential Inauguration Ceremonies

The first inauguration ceremony was held on 30 April 1789, with George Washington taking the oath of office. All subsequent ceremonies had been held on 4 March until 1937, when inauguration day was moved to 20 January after the ratification of the Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution.

Although most presidential inaugurations since 1801 have been held at the Capitol Building in Washington DC, several previous ceremonies were held in other places, including at Federal Hall in New York City, at Congress Hall in Philadelphia, and the Old Brick Capitol in Washington.

Though inauguration day isn't a federal holiday, it is observed as a holiday by federal employees working in the "Inauguration Day Area".

The ceremony is traditionally an outdoor public event, though this year, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser - together with several other officials - has called on US citizens not to come to the nation's capital for the forthcoming inauguration because of security concerns.

1 / 12

President Ronald Reagan and wife Nancy react after Mrs Reagan sits down having forgotten during her speech to introduce the President at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland, 21 January 1985, during an event held for those who would have participated in the inaugural parade, which was cancelled because of bad weather.

2 / 12

President Ronald Reagan dances with his wife Nancy as they celebrate Reagan's re-election for a second term in office in Washington, 21 January 1985.

3 / 12

First Lady Barbara Bush helps her husband, President George Bush, to display a boot with a Texas state emblem during a Texas black tie and boots reception in Washington, 21 January 1989.

4 / 12

President George Bush, right, and his wife, First Lady Barbara, acknowledge the crowd on Pennsylvania Avenue after getting out of their limousine and walking the inaugural parade route in Washington DC, 20 January 1989.

5 / 12

Bill Clinton, left centre, gives a high five to Chuck Berry, right, during the finale of the Presidential Gala at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland, 19 January 1993.

6 / 12

President Bill Clinton, right, yawns as he and his wife, First Lady Hillary, left, watch the presidential inaugural parade from the viewing stand on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC, 20 January 1993.

7 / 12

US President George W Bush (right) and wife First Lady Laura (left) wave to supporters at the Marriott Wardman Inaugural Ball in Washington, DC, 20 January 2001.

8 / 12

President-elect George W Bush dances with singer Ricky Martin during the Presidential Inaugural Opening Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, Thursday, 18 January 2001.

9 / 12

President Barack Obama talks to Beyonce before she sings the National Anthem at his ceremonial swearing-in at the US Capitol during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, 20 January 2013.

10 / 12

First lady Michelle Obama (left) greets US Vice President Joe Biden on the reviewing stand as the presidential inaugural parade winds through the nation's capital on 20 January 2013 in Washington, DC.

11 / 12

President Donald Trump during his inauguration ceremony, Washington DC, 20 January 2017.

Go to the mediabank

12 / 12

First Lady Melania Trump, US President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and wife Karen, wave goodbye to former President Barack Obama's helicopter as it departs from the US Capitol after Trump's inauguration ceremony at the US Capitol in Washington DC, 20 January 2017.