Inauguration Day is a significant event that marks the transfer of power in the United States, commemorating the beginning of a new president’s term in office. The pomp and circumstance create a strong-binding event, filled with traditions, customs, and pageantry meant to transmit reverence and unity. Despite the careful arrangement of every element of the ceremony, unexpected blunders and eccentric mishaps crop up at times. From gaffes at the podium to wardrobe malfunctions, the following are moments of embarrassment and intrigue caught during historic inaugurations.
Presidents Washington to Biden have all seen, or caused, their fair share of awkward inauguration moments. The inaugural parade of George Washington in 1789 started with nine military bands playing patriotic songs only for General Henry Knox to ride past them and promptly tell them to stop, saying, “We have not a band with us.” The following year, President John Adams and his successor, Thomas Jefferson, both attended the inauguration, a tradition not enforced until the Kennedy inauguration in 1961.
Theodore Roosevelt took over presidency following the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901. The telegraph had yet to be standardized, so there was confusion about the exact time of the swearing-in ceremony. Roosevelt decided to become the first president to take the oath of office on the White House balcony in front of a crowd that had gathered to see him become president. A newspaper account recounted that the audience watched in shock when Roosevelt grabbed a stack of invited guest’s cards from a table to illustrate his eagerness to begin governing.
When the first female Vice President, Kamala Harris, took office in January 2021, few would have guessed that Joe Biden’s inauguration would be known for a viral video of a llama named Victor sharing the spotlight. The creature, which was supposed to remain a surprise, was spotted at the National Mall just moments before the inauguration ceremony was set to commence.
In normal circumstances, it would be quite straightforward to describe the inauguration of Barack Obama, the first African-American president, as harmonious and issue-free. However, James Lee Woods, an amateur singer, decided to make his presence known by performing “The Star-Spangled Banner” in an operatic fashion that deviated from the sung lyrics and upset some attendees.
Lyndon B. Johnson became the first president whose swearing-in ceremony was captured live on TV in 1965. A moment of unease surfaced when an unprepared Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren asked Johnson to raise his right hand, thinking he had forgotten to do so. Johnson raised both hands and replied, “I’ve done this before.”
Fashion faux pas can sometimes create awkward moments. In 1981, Rosalynn Carter was seen looking confused as to whether she should take off her gloves during the inauguration ceremony. President Gerald Ford committed his own wardrobe malfunction when he forgot to have his inaugural sash adjusted and had it falling loose the entire time.
In 1869, President Ulysses S. Grant’s inauguration happened amidst the chilly aftermath of the Civil War. The inaugural parade included a carriage pulled by a team of white horses, whose hooves slipped on the icy streets, creating a scene of a disorganized and unfocused procession.
Moreover, Richard Nixon’s farewell speech was marked by his lack of enthusiasm when reciting the oath of office. These ceremonial missteps evoke a curiosity about what high-stress situation might lead to such awkward moments during a historical event that is supposed to bring people together.
