Inauguration History
The Location
Only recently have presidents taken their oath of office on the Capitol's West Front overlooking the monuments. Before President Reagan, the long-standing tradition was to hold the swearing-in ceremony on the other side of the Capitol. Throughout the nation's history, a variety of locations — inside the Capitol, around the District and halfway across the country — have been used because of weather, war or the unexpected death of the previous president.
Other Inaugural Locations
| Year | Location | Reason for different venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1789 | Federal Hall, New York | Capitol building not yet built |
| 1793 | Congress Hall, Philadelphia | Capitol building not yet built |
| 1797 | Congress Hall, Philadelphia | Capitol building not yet built |
| 1817 | Old Brick Capitol | Capitol destroyed in War of 1812 |
| 1841 | Brown's Hotel, Washington | Death of Harrison |
| 1865 | Kirkwood Hotel, Washington | Death of Lincoln |
| 1881 | Residence, New York | Death of Garfield |
| 1901 | Residence, Buffalo | Death of McKinley |
| 1923 | Residence, Plymouth, Vt. | Death of Harding |
| 1945 | White House | Festivities canceled because of war |
| 1945 | White House | Death of Roosevelt |
| 1963 | Aboard Air Force One at Love Field, Dallas | Death of Kennedy |
| 1974 | White House | Resignation of Nixon |
The Weather
Severe winter weather has set the tone of this traditionally outdoor event several times, though typically the weather is mild. Ronald Reagan had both the warmest and coldest January inauguration.
Sources: Architect of the Capitol, National Weather Service | Graphic: The Washington Post
