Hidden Corners of History Presidential Inaugurations

Presidential Inaugurations

Jarrod E. Stephens

The Ashland Beacon

Living in the greatest country on earth can sometimes lead us to taking some very important events for granted. There are holidays to honor veterans, religious holidays and days to honor our many freedoms and sometimes they go unnoticed or just passed by as if such freedoms exist everywhere. The truth is, we live in a special place. Truly it is a land of the free and the home of the brave because of the sacrifices and even forethought of those who came before us.

After the recent 2024 Presidential Election, we have again witnessed inauguration day when the President of the United States will take his oath of office. On January 20, 2025, Donald J. Trump was inaugurated as our 47th President in Washington D.C. While many events surrounding the inauguration have changed over time, the overall goal of publicly recognizing our Commander and Chief remains the same.

During the inaugural address, the newly elected President of the United States has the opportunity to try and inspire all Americans to join together for a common good. In fact, some of the most famous presidential quotes are derived from inaugural addresses. We can learn a lot about where our country was at the time of the address and look back to see if the dream was shared and accomplished. 

In 1864, Abraham Lincoln was elected to his second term. During his second inaugural address he said. "With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."

His words give us a glimpse into the condition of America at the time and prove that he really had hope of national healing. Sadly, only a few weeks after giving his address, Lincoln was assassinated. While he didn't live to see the fruition of his vision, he did lay the foundation for a path forward after the Civil War.

As we well know, America is a special place with abundant opportunities. Theodore Roosevelt was victorious in the election of 1904 and despite the challenges of the early 20th century, he challenged all Americans to recognize the value our duties and responsibilities to ourselves and all mankind. He stated, "Much has been given us, and much will rightfully be expected from us. We have duties to others and duties to ourselves; and we can shirk neither."

The stock market crash of 1929 revealed to the world that the economy of America was in dire straits. The period known as the Great Depression followed and Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected in 1932 with the hope of bringing our country through the terrible time. "This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." Roosevelt refused to live in the past and insisted that we not fear the struggles that were evident but instead look for ways to improve the future. 

During the mid 20th century there were several presidents who were former WWII veterans. John F. Kennedy was a vibrant young politician who seemed to energize crowds whenever and wherever he spoke. Kennedy had served in the United States Navy during WWII and in 1960 he was elected as our 35th president. Again, as many had done before, Kennedy called on all Americans to live selfless lives that would improve the lives of all Americans. JFK stated, "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country."

For every administration there are challenges that are greater than the leaders themselves. Sometimes leaders try to lift themselves up onto a pedestal, but Ronald Reagan clearly asserted his confidence in the American people and not the government. “In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.” 

Donald J. Trump was recently inaugurated as our 47th President. The position as Commander in Chief comes with great responsibility that cannot be taken lightly. Despite the political divide that is so apparent in America, this is no time to fold or quit. Let's approach today, tomorrow and everyday hereafter as an opportunity to create a country that we can be proud of.

In four years, we will again enter the Presidential election cycle and elect yet again a new President to lead our nation for a four-year term. Let’s take a moment to recognize the significance of living in a free country and celebrate the inauguration of our 47th President.