On November 5, 2024, the United States elected its forty-seventh president, that person being former President Donald J. Trump defeated Vice President, Kamala Harris with an electoral college defeat of Harris of 312 to 226 and a popular vote win of 77,303,573 to 75,019,257 according to the Associated Press. Trump is set to take his oath of office on Monday, January 20. The Inauguration Day entails much history during the day from the beginning to the end.
According to USA Today the Inauguration Day begins with the swearing-in of the new President on the west front of the Capitol Building. The swearing-in will be preceded by multiple music acts as well as the swearing-in of the new Vice President Senator JD Vance of Ohio. After the ceremony, there are multiple events beginning with the honorary departure of the former President and former First Lady, Joe and Jill Biden. After the Honorary Departure, the President’s Room Signing Ceremony begins which is an event that dates back to 1981 started by then-President, Ronald Regan. After the President’s Room Signing Ceremony, the Inaugural Luncheon begins. After, the Review of the Troops takes place followed by the Presidential Parade and Reception. The parade will start at the Capitol Building and end at the White House. The final event of Inauguration Day will be the multiple Inaugural Balls that take place.
This year’s inauguration is a historic one with Donald Trump being the second president to serve non-consecutive terms following his inproble political comeback. This year’s event also has a few interesting details with the event being held on the same day as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This means that millions of Americans will either be off work or school including Lewis Cass students to watch the event if they so choose. The event is also preceded by the death of former president, Jimmy Carter on December 29, 2024, meaning all flags after thirty days after his death will be half-staff which Inauguration Day falls under. This year’s inauguration will differ from the last in 2017 in that the incumbent president, Joe Biden, will be in attendance.
The date of the Inauguration has not always been January 20. The date used to be on March 4 or 5 depending on if the date was a Sunday. The date was moved to January 20 because according to the Library of Congress, “With modern advances in communication and transportation, election officials and newly-elected candidates no longer needed four months to gather election returns and travel to Washington. To minimize the transition period between Election Day and Inauguration Day, and curtail “Lame Duck” Congresses in which members defeated in November served until March.”
In conclusion, the Inauguration is a historic event every time it takes place, but this year has a few different variables making it out of the ordinary compared to others. If you are not doing any on January 20, I suggest you watch Inauguration Day so you can say you witnessed history.
