January 20, 2026: Inauguration Day in the United States

Manuel Van den Broucke, sports, society and politics correspondent, January 20, 2025

What is Inauguration Day?

Inauguration Day is the official ceremony during which the president-elect takes the oath of office and enters into office. Traditionally set for January 20 since 1937, in accordance with the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, it marks the beginning of the presidential term. During this event, held on the steps of the Capitol in Washington D.C., the president takes the oath of office on a Bible. The day includes speeches such as the inaugural address, in which the president outlines his priorities. Finally, in exceptional circumstances such as the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963, the inauguration can be organized quickly, as was the case for Lyndon B. Johnson aboard Air Force One.

When and where does the inauguration take place?

The presidential inauguration in the United States takes place on January 20, a date fixed since the adoption of the 20th Amendment in 1933. If this day falls on a Sunday, a private ceremony is held that same day, followed by a public ceremony on January 21. The event takes place in Washington D.C., mainly on the west steps of the Capitol. Historically, other locations have also been used, such as Federal Hall in New York for George Washington in 1789 or the Capitol in Philadelphia for John Adams in 1797, before Washington D.C. became the permanent capital.

The history of Inauguration Day

The history of Inauguration Day in the United States dates back to the first inaugural ceremony on April 30, 1789, when George Washington took the oath of office on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York, then the capital of the country. Initially set for March 4, Inauguration Day was moved to January 20 starting in 1937, following the adoption of the 20th Amendment, in order to reduce the transition period between administrations. In 1981, Ronald Reagan chose to take the oath of office on the west terrace of the Capitol, offering a symbolic view toward westward expansion. Certain inaugurations have marked history because of their context, such as that of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933, marked by the Great Depression, or that of Barack Obama in 2009, which drew a record crowd of nearly 1.8 million people.

The role of the president and vice president during the inauguration

During the inauguration, the president and vice president-elect officially assume their duties after taking the oath of office. The president takes the oath before the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, reciting the 35 words prescribed by Article II of the Constitution, often with one hand on a Bible. The vice president also takes an oath, generally before the president, in the presence of a judge.

Organization and security of the event

The event is coordinated by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, responsible for logistical aspects such as the arrangement of the stands at the Capitol. Security is provided by the Secret Service in collaboration with the Capitol Police, the National Guard, and other federal agencies. For example, Joe Biden's inauguration in 2021 took place with more than 25,000 National Guard members deployed, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the riots at the Capitol. The organization also includes contingency plans for weather conditions, as in 1985, when Ronald Reagan's ceremony was canceled due to freezing temperatures.