Inaugurations are major events in our country. They represent a changing of the guard and set the tone for the coming administration. That makes today a day of historical significance!

I found a few pictures of past inaugurations.

This is from Lincoln’s first inaugural address. The Library of Congress notes that the event’s photographer had plenty of time to set up a closer shot but all the photographs are taken from a distance. You can pick out Lincoln only by his white shirtfront.

Blurred photographs are a theme of Lincoln’s presidency. Interestingly, there is only one confirmed picture of Lincoln at Gettysburg. There were several photographers present to capture the sixteenth president’s image speaking to the crowd and they were still setting up their equipment when Lincoln rose to speak. In those days, it was common for orators to give long speeches and that is what everyone expected Lincoln would do. Another speaker at the event gave a two-hour oration. But Lincoln understood the power of brevity. The immortal Gettysburg address is only 272 words, and he spoke for two minutes. By the time the photographers realized Lincoln had concluded his speech, it was too late. He was already walking away. One photographer was able to take this blurred picture capturing the president in his top hat.

President Trump will take the oath in the Capitol instead of outside. The official reason is the expected cold temperature but many suspect that it’s really due to security threats. As awful as that is, it’s nothing new. John Wilkes Booth was present at Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address. Booth, who would assassinate Lincoln six weeks later, was carrying a pistol at the inauguration. Both he and Lincoln are visible in this photo from the second inauguration.

Some kind soul posted this image which marks them out.

President Trump is only the second president to serve non-consecutive terms. The other president to serve non-consecutive terms was Steven Grover Cleveland.

Is anyone else surprised to learn Grover was not President Cleveland’s first name? I wonder why he decided to use his middle name instead? It was a smart thing to do for a politician who needs to stand out but I bet it was no fun when he was little.

We’re all fans of Teddy Roosevelt here! Here’s a picture from his only formal inaugural address in March 1905.

It’s time for the inauguration!