U.S. Presidential Inaugurations: Franklin Delano Roosevelt

First Inauguration - March 4, 1933

From the Joint National Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt attended St. John’s Church for a morning worship service, beginning a new tradition.
FDR used the Roosevelt family bible for all four Presidential Inaugurations. It is the oldest Inaugural Bible, printed in 1686, and the only one written in a modern foreign language: Dutch.
The Roosevelts had planned to host a buffet luncheon at the White House for several hundred guests after the Inauguration. However, at the last minute, Mrs. Roosevelt cancelled the luncheon in deference to the passing of Senator Thomas J. Walsh, recently deceased. Roosevelt had selected Senator Walsh to serve as attorney general.

[Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover in convertible automobile on way to U.S. Capitol for Roosevelt's inauguration, March 4, 1933]. Architect of the Capitol; 1933. Prints and Photographs Division.	Barbee, David Rankin, "Inaugural Balls of the Past," in the Inaugural Program, Inauguration. Harold L. Ickes papers, 1815-1969. Published by Ransdell Incorporated; March 4, 1933. Manuscript Division.
Inauguration of President Franklin Roosevelt. [March 4, 1933]. Prints and Photographs Division.	[Aerial view of U.S. Capitol and crowd on the grounds of the east front of the U.S. Capitol, during the inauguration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, March 4, 1933]. Architect of the Capitol; [March 4, 1933]. Prints and Photographs Division.
Invitation to White House Luncheon Buffet, March 4, 1933. Harold L. Ickes papers, 1815-1969. March 4, 1933. Manuscript Division.	[Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes administering the oath of office to Franklin Delano Roosevelt on the east portico of the U.S. Capitol, March 4, 1933]. Architect of the Capitol; [March 4, 1933]. Prints and Photographs Division.

First president inaugurated on the January 20th date, a change pursuant to by the 20th Amendment to the Constitution.
First time the vice president-elect was inaugurated outside on the same platform with the president-elect. No vice presidential address was given.
The President and First Lady hosted around 600 guests for a buffet luncheon at the White House in the state dining room and East Room. They served hot coffee, sandwiches, and cake.

[Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes administering the oath of office to Franklin Delano Roosevelt on the east portico of the U.S. Capitol, January 20, 1937]. Harris & Ewing; [January 20, 1937]. Prints and Photographs Division.	[President Franklin Delano Roosevelt delivering his inaugural address on the east portico of the U.S. Capitol, January 20, 1937]. [January 20, 1937]. Prints and Photographs Division.
[Composite image of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's first and second inaugurations, each flanked by portraits of Roosevelt and John Nance Garner, March 4, 1933 and January 20, 1937]. Architect of the Capitol; July 22, 1960. Prints and Photographs Division.	[Invitation to the Inauguration Ceremonies], January 20, 1937. January 20, 1937. Harold L. Ickes papers, 1815-1969. Manuscript Division.

First president to take the oath of office for a third term.
President and Mrs. Roosevelt hosted 1,200 guests at the White House for a buffet luncheon consisting of tomato soup, salad, beef, ham, tongue, cake, ice cream, and coffee.

[Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes administering the oath of office to Franklin Delano Roosevelt on the east portico of the U.S. Capitol, January 20, 1941]. [January 20, 1941]. Prints and Photographs Division.	[President Franklin Delano Roosevelt delivering his inaugural address on the east portico of the U.S. Capitol, January 20, 1941]. [January 20, 1941]. Prints and Photographs Division.
Inauguration Day, 1941, Washington, D.C. Dixon, Royden, photographer; January 1941. Prints and Photographs Division.	Inauguration Ceremonies Program, January 20, 1941. January 20, 1941. Harold L. Ickes papers, 1815-1969. Manuscript Division.

First and only time a president was inaugurated for a fourth term. (The 22d Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1951, restricts the presidency to two terms.)
At the height of WWII, Franklin D. Roosevelt's fourth Inauguration was simple and austere with no fanfare or formal celebration following the event. There was no parade because of gas rationing and a lumber shortage.

The Order of Service for Saturday, January 20, 1945, at 10:00 am Before the Inauguration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt as President of the United States, January 20, 1945. January 20, 1945. Harold L. Ickes papers, 1815-1969. Manuscript Division.	Inauguration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt at White House. Lakey, J. Sherrel, photographer; January 20, 1945. Prints and Photographs Division.
Crowd stands in snow for inauguration - Washington, D.C., Jan. 20 / Harris & Ewing Photos. Harris & Ewing; January 20, 1945. Prints and Photographs Division.	[Ticket to the White House Inauguration Ceremonies], January 20, 1945. January 20, 1945. Harold L. Ickes papers, 1815-1969. Manuscript Division

* This information is based on a compilation by the Office of the Curator, Architect of the Capitol, Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, from contemporary accounts and other sources. Additional research provided by Library of Congress staff..

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