SPEECH: Since George Washington in 1789, every President has delivered an Inaugural address, ranging from 8,445 words to just 135.
The 60th Presidential Inauguration Ceremony is scheduled for Jan. 20, 2025. The ceremony will be hosted by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.
The American Presidency Project’s website has each address, from George Washington through to Joe Biden. They do not have what they refer to as “accidental” presidential addresses, where someone took over in the event of the death or resignation of the president — John Tyler after the death of William Henry Harrison; Millard Fillmore after the death of Zachary Taylor; Andrew Johnson after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln; Chester Arthur after the assassination of James Garfield; and Gerald Ford after Richard Nixon’s resignation.
Theodore Roosevelt’s inaugural speech is included, as he was elected after he had assumed the presidency following William McKinley’s assassination in Buffalo, N.Y. Lyndon B. Johnson’s address was included, too, as he was elected after he had assumed office following John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
It was in 1937, during the terms of President Franklin Roosevelt, when the inauguration changed from March 4 to January 20, following ratification of the 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The 20th Amendment reduced the “lame duck” period when the president and members of Congress serve out the remainder of their terms following an election, setting the beginning and ending dates for Congressional terms at Jan. 3 and for the president and vice president at Jan. 20.
The shortest inaugural address, at 135 words, was given by George Washington on his second election. The longest address, at 8,460, was given by William Henry Harrison.
