10 American Presidents Podcast

Newly sworn-in presidents usually give a speech referred to as an inaugural address. As with many inaugural customs, this one was started by George Washington in 1789. After taking his oath of office on the balcony of Federal Hall, he proceeded to the Senate chamber where he read a speech before members of Congress and other dignitaries. Every president since Washington has delivered an inaugural address. While many of the early presidents read their addresses before taking the oath, current custom dictates that the chief justice administer the oath first, followed by the president's speech.Jefferson's first inaugural. This comes on the heels of the election of 1800, famous for how divisive it was. Jefferson talks about the need to "restore to social intercourse that harmony and affection" that had taken a pretty severe beating. "We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists."Lincoln's first inaugural. The famous lines about "we must not be enemies" begin in the final paragraph of the speech. There