Inauguration Day

Every 4 years on the 20th of January the peaceful transition of presidential power takes place in our Nation's Capital, that is unless the incumbent wins, and then it's just a big "hooray it's our second term" party.


The next inauguration will, of course, be January 20, 2013. Because January 20th falls on a Sunday that year, it will be interesting to see if the inaugural is actually moved to the day after, as it was for the inaugurations of Presidents Eisenhower and Reagan  who each gave their addresses on Monday, January 21.


You might not know that from 1793 until 1933 Inauguration Day was held on March 4  (prior to that it was held in April).  But the ratification of the 20th amendment changed that and since then Inauguration Day has occurred on January 20th. Thomas Jefferson in 1801 was the first President to be inaugurated in Washington, D.C. (thanks again, Wikipedia). 


Despite my affinity for politics and Washington and all things Presidential (a heads up for the Presidents' Day blog entry),  I have only ever been to one inauguration.  In 1989, shortly after college, my roommates and I lived several metro stops from the Capitol and decided to make the short trip to the historic event.  I'm so glad we did.


Per usual, I did a pathetic job preserving the memories of the occasion.  Here are the only two photos I have of the inauguration of George H.W. Bush.

A crowd starting to gather -- not exactly the best vantage point. 

Me and my roommate Mary in the cheap, ok, the free seats.

I do remember, we had a little bi-partisan get-together afterwards which included a toast (with Busch beer) and we wished our friends "on the other side of the aisle" better luck next time (but not really).