Oath of Office – Presidential Elections USA

The President will be inaugurated on January 20 in the year after the election. Many inaugural traditions have changed since President George Washington took the first oath of office on April 30, 1789. The longest inaugural address (two hours) was held by William Harrison in 1841.

John F. Kennedy said the following memorable words in 1961: And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.

The President-elect raises his right hand, places his left hand on the Bible, and takes the Oath as directed by the Chief Justice. This takes place on the West Portico of the Capitol.

Here are the words: I 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.

George Washington added the following words: So help me God. These words were added by every president since.

The constitution of the USA said that the oath of office be taken on March 4 in the year after the election. This time gap was designed to allow enough time for counting the votes and travelling to Washington. In 1933 the date was changed to January 20 as it became easier to count the votes and travel to Washington.

Even today there has to be enough time to count the votes. So it is improbable that there will be another change of the current date.