Harry Truman inauguration
President Harry S. Truman’s inauguration on January 20, 1949, was the first televised inauguration in the United States.

What would Inauguration Day be without the excitement of celebration and the continuation of American tradition? Performing arts and spectacular floats have adorned the momentous shift in presidential power for years past, and many significant groups and people have done their part in adding to the fun of the inauguration. The White House Historical Association’s article called “Presidential Inaugurations” explains that the modern Inauguration Day is not so much a celebration of a specific candidate’s victory to the presidential position, but rather it is a celebration of the country’s democratic republic. Let’s take a look at a few of the most memorable moments of entertainment in inaugural history.

Dwight Eisenhower
January 20, 1953 - Vice President Nixon (right) and Mamie Eisenhower (center), with big smiles, watch as Dwight D. Eisenhower is lassoed by California cowboy Montie Montana as he passed the Presidential viewing section during the Inaugural Parade

One of the most iconic parts of Inauguration Day is the Inaugural parade. Like other aspects of Inauguration Day, the events and parades have become more intricate over the years. The parade participants are picked by the Presidential Inaugural Committee, and the Inaugural parade is organized by the Joint Task Force-Armed Inaugural Committee. Traditionally, military regiments, veteran organizations, dancers, bands, and floats participate in the Inaugural parade. Beginning with President James Madison in 1809, the parade has been a longstanding American inaugural tradition, and the only parade cancelation occurred due to freezing temperatures during President Ronald Regan’s second inauguration in 1985. The Marine Band has performed at every inauguration parade since President Jefferson’s second inauguration in 1805. Most notable, however, may be the largest parade in presidential history held for President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953 complete with floats, bands, and even elephants!                  

Barak Obama inauguration
Beyoncé performs the national anthem at Barack Obama's second inauguration

Various group performers and artists have sung, danced, and read at inaugurations as well. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has made an appearance at seven different inaugurations, most recently at President Trump’s inauguration in 2017. The Radio City Rockettes also danced onto the scene at his inauguration, kicking off the start of the next presidency. Taking a look into famous entertainers at past inaugurations, some of the most notable performances include Linda Ronstadt (Carter, 1977), Ethel Merman (Reagan, 1981), Michael Jackson (Clinton, 1993), Kelly Clarkson (Obama, 2013), and Beyonce (Obama, 2013). Musicians have not been the only featured entertainment at inaugurations.

Lyndon Johnson inauguration
Lyndon B. Johnson assisting Robert Frost during the inaugural ceremony for John F. Kennedy.

Poets have shared their crafted words to America. Although only five poets have ever read at an inauguration, their contributions have not gone unnoticed. Robert Frost (Kennedy, 1961), Maya Angelo (Clinton, 1993), Miller Williams (Clinton, 1997), Elizabeth Alexander (Obama, 2009), and Richard Blanco (Obama, 2013) have each shared a poem with the country on Inauguration Day. Frost, a New Hampshire resident during his life, recited the poem “The Gift Outright” from memory at the Kennedy inauguration in 1961 after the sun’s glare prevented him from reading the poem he had written specially for the occasion.

Do you remember any special moments of entertainment at inaugurations in the past? How do you think the entertainment traditions will change or stay the same moving forward?
 

Sources:

History of Inaugural Appearances (thetabernaclechoir.org)

Most Legendary Presidential Inauguration Performances - Rolling Stone

History of Change and Tradition on Inauguration Day - ABC News (go.com)

Presidential Inaugurations: Symbolic Gestures - White House Historical Association (whitehousehistory.org)

Presidential Inaugurations - White House Historical Association (whitehousehistory.org)

Poetry and the Presidential Inauguration | From the Catbird Seat: Poetry & Literature at the Library of Congress (loc.gov)

U.S. INAUGURAL HISTORY SHAPES PRESENT TRADITIONS – The Waynedale News

Inauguration Day | National Geographic Society