Inauguration of Warren G. Harding

Presidential inauguration of
Warren Harding
DateMarch 4, 1921; 103 years ago (1921-03-04)
LocationUnited States Capitol,
Washington, D.C.
Organized byJoint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies
ParticipantsWarren G. Harding
29th president of the United States
— Assuming office
Edward Douglass White
Chief Justice of the United States
— Administering oath
Calvin Coolidge
29th vice president of the United States
— Assuming office
Thomas R. Marshall
28th vice president of the United States
— Administering oath
This article is part of
a series about
Warren G. Harding
Political rise
29th President of the United States
Presidential campaigns
Controversies
Warren G. Harding's signature
Seal of the President of the United States

The inauguration of Warren G. Harding as the 29th president of the United States was held on Friday, March 4, 1921, at the East Portico of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. This was the 34th inauguration and marked the commencement of Warren G. Harding's only term as president and of Calvin Coolidge's only term as vice president. Harding died 2 years, 151 days into this term, and Coolidge succeeded to the presidency.

Chief Justice Edward D. White administered the presidential oath of office.[1] Harding placed his hand on the Washington Inaugural Bible as he recited the oath.[2]

Coolidge was sworn in as vice president in the Senate Chamber, while Harding's swearing-in as president took place on the east portico of the Capitol, respectively, which Coolidge believed ruined "all semblance of unity and continuity."[3] Critic H. L. Mencken described Harding's inaugural address, writing, "It is rumble and bumble. It is flap and doodle. It is balder and dash. But I grow lyrical."[4]

This inauguration was the first in which an automobile was used to transport the president-elect and the outgoing president (Woodrow Wilson) to and from the Capitol.[2] Wilson, still compromised by his 1919 stroke, did not attend the ceremony itself.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ "The 34th Presidential Inauguration: Warren G. Harding, March 04, 1921". United States Senate. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Warren G. Harding: Inaugural Address. U.S. Inaugural Addresses. 1989". 3 January 2023.
  3. ^ "75th Anniversary of Calvin Coolidge's Inauguration". Archived from the original on 2010-02-11. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
  4. ^ "CNN.com – Books – H.L. Mencken enjoys presidential campaign revival – November 1, 2000". Edition.cnn.com. 2000-11-01. Retrieved 2022-06-10.
  5. ^ "Taking the Presidential Oath: A Look Back at President Harding's Inauguration 96 Years Ago". Archived from the original on 2021-01-11. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
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