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One woman watches as another examines with a magnifying glass an ornate, decorative image on a printed page

Taking a Closer Look at Presidential Inaugurations: Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address

Posted by: Cheryl Lederle

A recent blog post on presidential inaugurations noted that while the Constitution requires only an oath of office, presidential inaugurations have evolved to include many more activities. Many of these elements, including inaugural addresses, are documented in primary sources from the Library of Congress.

One woman watches as another examines with a magnifying glass an ornate, decorative image on a printed page

Beyond the Oath: Presidential Inaugurations Past to Present in Library of Congress Primary Sources

Posted by: Cheryl Lederle

Inaugurations have evolved from this simple oath to include a series of events that both commemorate a transition of power and engage the public. A presidential inauguration also provides teachers and students a powerful lens through which to examine the principles at the foundation of American government—the rule of law, checks and balances, republicanism.