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Activity

Inauguration Day Activities

Teach about the Presidential Inauguration and how it has changed over time with our recommended activities and background resources.
US Capitol building at the 2009 presidential inauguration
Published: December 18, 2020

Activities & Resources

Presidential Inaugurations: I Do Solemnly Swear
Students in grades 3-5 discover how the Presidential Inauguration has changed over time and presents historical figures with archival materials.

The Inauguration of George Washington
Students analyze George Washington's diary entry for April 16, 1789, the day he left Mount Vernon for his inauguration in New York City. Grades 6-8

Inaugural Quiz
Test your knowledge of past presidential inaugurations with this 10-question online quiz. Grades 6-12

7 Ideas for Teaching About the Presidential Inauguration
Some teaching ideas for watching, discussing and analyzing the Presidential inauguration. Grades 6-12

“I Do Solemnly Swear…”
A special online Library of Congress presentation with more than forty photographs, manuscripts, campaign posters, letters, broadsides, and inaugural speeches representing eighteen presidents. Grades K-12

“I Do Solemnly Swear...” Presidential Inaugurations
This collection of 400 items at the Library of Congress includes diaries and letters of presidents and of those who witnessed inaugurations, handwritten drafts of inaugural addresses, broadsides, inaugural tickets and programs, prints, photographs, and sheet music. These items are related to inaugurations from George Washington's first in 1789 to Barack Obama's first inauguration in 2009. Grades K-12

Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents of the United States
Find complete text of all 56 presidential addresses from all 44 Presidents. Grades 9-12

Historical Inauguration Speeches – YouTube
Watch videos of 12 speeches from 1933 (FDR) to 2013 (Barack Obama). Grades 9-12

Inaugural Addresses: Comparing and Contrasting Inaugural Addresses ( PDF, 229 KB, 2 pgs.)
Students compare the priorities, goals, and intentions in four inaugural addresses. Grades 9-12

 

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