What does inauguration mean? As Donald Trump becomes US President here’s all you need to know about the ceremony
DONALD Trump is about to join the ranks of Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and Barack Obama as he is sworn in as President of the United States today.
As is tradition the presidential inauguration is held on January 20, and takes place after every election - even if the president has already served a four-year term.
Today Trump will swear an oath to serve his country as the 45th President, as millions around the globe watch - keep up with the proceedings through our live blog.
What does inauguration mean?
An inauguration ceremony takes place to mark the start of a new four-year term of a President of the United States.
Even if that president is returning after being re-elected, they must still take part in an inauguration.
The term inauguration means the beginning or introduction of a system, policy or period.
It also refers to the formal admission of someone to office and a ceremony to mark the beginning or introduction of something.
The only inauguration element which must take place is the president makes a oath or affirmation before they are able to sit in office.
But over the years various traditions have been started which expanded the ceremony from a simply oath taking to a day-long event with performances, speeches, parades and balls.
What is the history of the US presidential inauguration?
The first inauguration was that of George Washington on April 30, 1789.
Washington gave his first address at Federal Hall in New York City and his second in Congress Hall in Philadelphia.
Since the inauguration of Ronald Reagan the ceremony has been held at the Capitol's West Front.
Under the Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution, Inauguration Day was moved to January 20 in 1937.
It sees a federal holiday for those who work in the District of Columbia, Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in Maryland, Arlington and Fairfax Counties in Virginia, and the cities of Alexandria and Fairfax in Virginia.
What does an inauguration involve?
There are no rules over who should administer the presidential oath of office but it is usually undertaken by the chief justice - currently John G Robert, Jr.
Once the President has been sworn in they usually give a speech, referred to as an inaugural address.
Fifty-four addresses have been given by 37 presidents - Washington's was the shortest at 135 words and William Henry Harrison's was the longest at 8,495 words.
Since 1937 the ceremony has included two or more prayers, with music and poetry also included.
Now an inauguration also involves a congressional luncheon, a procession to the White House, and inaugural parade and a prayer service.
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