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First Inauguration Of Ronald Reagan

The 49th presidential inauguration of Ronald Reagan as the 40th president of the United States took place on Tuesday, January 20, 1981. The ceremony was held at the West Front of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.. This was a notable departure, as it was the first inauguration to be conducted on the building's west side, a decision that carried both practical and symbolic weight. This event marked the commencement of Ronald Reagan's and George H. W. Bush's first term in their respective offices as president and vice president. The esteemed Chief Justice of the United States, Warren E. Burger, administered the solemn presidential oath of office to Reagan. For this significant moment, Reagan placed his hand upon a family Bible, a treasured heirloom gifted to him by his mother, which was open to the passage 2 Chronicles 7:14. Simultaneously, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Potter Stewart presided over the administration of the vice presidential oath to Vice President Bush.

At the age of 69 years and 349 days on Inauguration Day, Ronald Reagan held the distinction of being the oldest person to assume the presidency at that time. This record was later surpassed by Donald Trump at his first inauguration in 2017, who was 70 years and 220 days old. A profound and widely anticipated event coincided with the inauguration: the release of the 52 Americans being held hostage in Iran, a crisis that had captivated the nation for 444 days. This simultaneous occurrence of the presidential transfer of power and the liberation of the hostages lent an extraordinary layer of significance and national catharsis to the day.

Inaugural committee

The responsibility for the intricate planning and flawless execution of the 1981 inauguration fell to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. This distinguished body was composed of members from both chambers of Congress:

It was this committee that made the pivotal decision to relocate the inauguration ceremony to the West Front of the Capitol. Historically, the ceremony had predominantly taken place at the East Portico, with infrequent exceptions, since 1837. The decision, finalized in June 1980, was motivated by a combination of factors, chief among them being a desire for fiscal prudence. By utilizing the West Front terraces as the inaugural platform, the committee could circumvent the considerable expense of constructing a separate stage. Furthermore, positioning the ceremony on the side of the Capitol facing the National Mall offered a vastly expanded space for the anticipated throngs of spectators, enhancing the public's ability to witness the historic event.

For the occasion, Ronald Reagan opted for sartorial choices befitting the formality. He wore a stroller for the daytime ceremony and changed into white tie attire for the evening inaugural ball.

Oath of office

The oath administered to President Reagan, as stipulated by the Constitution of the United States, was as follows:

"I, Ronald Reagan, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. [So help me God.]"

Inaugural address and release of hostages

The inaugural address delivered by President Reagan was a substantial discourse, extending to 2,452 words. He masterfully employed the dramatic vista afforded by the West Front, drawing symbolic connections to the presidential memorials and the solemn grounds of Arlington National Cemetery visible in the distance. As Reagan articulated his vision for the nation, a momentous development unfolded: the 52 American hostages, held captive in Iran for an agonizing 444 days, were finally released. This confluence of events—the peaceful transfer of power and the liberation of fellow citizens—created an atmosphere of profound relief and national jubilation.

The Reverend Donn Moomaw, pastor of the Bel Air Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, a spiritual home to the Reagans, delivered the invocation and benediction. His prayer included the heartfelt sentiment, "We thank you, O God, for the release of our hostages." However, it's worth noting that his prayer for their release preceded their actual departure from Tehran.

President Reagan was in the process of having lunch with congressional leaders in Statuary Hall within the Capitol following the inauguration ceremony when he received the momentous news. He was informed that the aircraft carrying the freed hostages had successfully departed Iranian airspace. During the luncheon, he shared this profound development, stating, "With thanks to Almighty God, I have been given a tag line, the get-off line, that everyone wants for the end of a toast or a speech, or anything else. Some 30 minutes ago, the planes bearing our prisoners left Iranian air space, and they're now free of Iran." It is indeed plausible that the hostages departed Tehran mere moments before the ceremony commenced. The press, exercising considerable discretion, held off on announcing the news to avoid overshadowing the unfolding inauguration, recognizing the difficulty of simultaneously covering both events.

The Reagans in the inaugural parade

Across Washington, D.C. and indeed throughout the entire country, spontaneous celebrations erupted, marking both the inauguration of the new president and the joyous return of the hostages. In a unique gesture, the National Christmas Tree, situated on the ellipse near the White House, was illuminated on Inauguration Day itself, a symbolic act intended to honor the release of the hostages. Signs emblazoned with "444 DAYS!" became a visible part of the widespread celebrations. Citizens across the nation expressed their solidarity by draping their communities in yellow ribbons, a potent symbol of support and hope, and adorning billboards with messages of freedom. Preparations were swiftly underway to welcome the returning hostages home. The Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor was bathed in light, the Empire State Building glowed in patriotic red, white, and blue, and the Boston Fire Department sounded its gongs in a resounding salute to the deliverance of the hostages.

Weather

The weather on Inauguration Day provided a remarkably pleasant backdrop for the proceedings. The temperature at noon reached a balmy 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius), which was unseasonably warm for Washington, D.C., in January.

Inaugural gala

The evening prior to the inauguration, on January 19, 1981, ABC hosted a star-studded event, the All-Star Inaugural Gala. The ceremony was masterfully hosted by the legendary Johnny Carson and featured captivating performances from a constellation of entertainment icons, including Bob Hope, James Stewart, Ben Vereen, Ethel Merman, Charlton Heston, Rich Little, and Frank Sinatra. This gala served as a glittering prelude to the significant events of the following day.

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