Inauguration Resources

The Utah Education Network has gather some great resources and activities to help you and your students learn more about the inauguration ceremonies.

General Inauguration Resources Classroom ActivitiesWeb sites for Students

General Inauguration Resources

Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural CeremoniesJoint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies
The official Senate web page with information about Inaugurations.
What Happens on Inauguration Day?What Happens on Inauguration Day?
Step through a typical day for the president-elect, from the morning worship service to the nighttime Inaugural balls.
Presidential '13 InaugurationPresidential 13 Inauguration
This site has up-to-date news concerning the 2013 Presidential Inauguration.
"I Do Solemnly Swear...""I Do Solemnly Swear . . .": Presidential Inaugurations
A collection of approximately 400 items or 2,000 digital files relating to inaugurations from George Washington's in 1789 to George W. Bush's inauguration of 2001.
Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents of the United StatesInaugural Addresses of the Presidents of the United States
Read the inaugural addresses from George Washington to George W. Bush.
Presidential InaugurationsPresidential Inaugurations
Learn the details about each of the past presidential inauguration ceremonies.
A Half Century of Inaugural ImagesA Half Century of Inaugural Images
Visit the Senate Curator’s selection of historical Inaugural images from the U.S. Senate collection.
The American Presidency ProjectThe American Presidency Project
Contains inaugural address texts and audio and video tapes of a number of inaugural addresses.
Statuary HallStatuary Hall
After the president takes the oath of office and delivers his Inaugural address and following the departure ceremony for the outgoing President, he will be escorted to Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol for the traditional Inaugural Luncheon.
Inaugurals of Presidents of the United StatesInaugurals of Presidents of the United States
Some Precedents and Notable Events.
American Presidents: Life PortraitsAmerican Presidents: Life Portraits
This page provides biographical facts and key events for each presidency, including presidential birthplaces, libraries, and grave sites.
First Lady Inaugural FashionsFirst Lady Inaugural Fashions
This PBS website offers several views of former First Ladies’ Inaugural gowns.

Classroom Activities

Costume for an Inaugural BallCostume for an Inaugural Ball Lesson Plan (Grades K-5)
Look at history through the lens of fashion, creating original costumes for inaugural balls throughout history.
The Inauguration and the ConsitutionPresidential Inaugurations: A Capitol Parade on a Cold Winter's Day (Grades K-12)
Includes brief discussions of five presidential inaugurations with links to related articles and activities, the text of the oath of office, and links to featured websites.
Dear President ObamaDear Mr. President (Grades 3-4)
Students will analyze a letter written to President Abraham Lincoln, and then write and send their own letters to the president of the United States.
We Must Not Be Enemies: Lincoln's First Inaugural AddressWe Must Not Be Enemies: Lincoln's First Inaugural Address (Grades 3-5)
Students will learn about the Constitutional requirements for inaugurations and the oath of office.
I Do Solemnly Swear: Presidential InaugurationsI Do Solemnly Swear: Presidential Inaugurations (Grades 3-5)
Students will learn about the inauguration requirements and past ceremonies.
Inaugural Weather in HistoryInaugural Weather In History (Grades 6-12)
Students learn fascinating facts about weather conditions during past U.S. presidential inaugurations and complete a work sheet about the information.
Inauguration Firsts Trivia HuntInauguration Firsts Trivia Hunt (Grades 6-12)
Students find fascinating firsts and facts about past U.S. presidential inaugurations and answer questions about what they learn.
Comparing Inaugural AddressesComparing Inaugural Addresses (Grades 6-12)
Students compare and contrast inaugural addresses of past presidents of the United States.
The Inauguration and the ConsitutionThe Inauguration and the Constitution (Grades 6-12)
Investigate how the Constitution outlines the presidential inauguration and how the inauguration symbolizes the transition of power in a democracy. Relate the elements of the inauguration to the powers of the president listed in the Constitution.

Web sites for Students

The Inauguration and the ConsitutionHistorical Inauguration Speeches – YouTube
Watch videos of ten speeches from 1933 (FDR) to 2001 (G.W. Bush).
The Inauguration and the Consitution“I Do Solemnly Swear…”
A special online Library of Congress presentation with more than forty photographs, manuscripts, campaign posters, letters, broadsides, and inaugural speeches representing eighteen presidents.
The Inauguration and the Consitution“I Do Solemnly Swear...” Presidential Inaugurations
This collection of 400 items at the Library of Congress includes diaries and letters of presidents and of those who witnessed inaugurations, handwritten drafts of inaugural addresses, broadsides, inaugural tickets and programs, prints, photographs, and sheet music.
Be President for a DayBe President for a Day
Explore the job requirements for the U.S. Presidency, identify the different people the President might meet with in an average day and experience the President's typical agenda.
If You Were PresidentIf You Were President
You make the decisions and talk to the press. Print out the resulting news story to see how you fared as President of the United States.
44 Presidents44 Presidents
Listen to this new rap song, 44 Presidents.
Inauguration QuizInauguration Quiz!
Test your knowledge about past Presidential inaugurations.
Presidential InaugurationsPresidential Inaugurations
Presidential Inauguration information for ESL students.