Inaugural swearing-in
The inaugural theme, which was selected by Senator Feinstein and the members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, will be woven through the inaugural ceremonies. The theme is traditionally linked to a major anniversary, and in her announcement Feinstein spoke of the appropriateness of the chosen theme to our present day circumstances, particularly in light of the historic election of Senator Barack Obama.
"At a time when our country faces major challenges at home and abroad, it is appropriate to revisit the words of President Lincoln, who strived to bring the nation together by appealing to ‘the better angels of our nature’," Feinstein said. "It is especially fitting to celebrate the words of Lincoln as we prepare to inaugurate the first African-American president of the United States."
On January 20, after the newly elected President Barack Obama has taken 
Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol prepared for the 2009 Inaugural luncheon.
From the mid-nineteenth century to the early twentieth century, Presidents 
Wind River, Wyoming, by Albert Bierstadt – Bush 2005 Inaugural Painting
As the parade grew larger over the years, and lasted later and later into the afternoon, organizers began to look for ways to hasten its start. In 1897, they proposed that the President go directly from the Capitol to the reviewing stand, and have lunch there, if he desired. Instead, the Presidential party dined in the Capitol as guests of the Senate Committee on Arrangements. In 1901, the President again took his lunch at the Capitol, and the parade delays continued. In 1905, the luncheon returned to the White House, again in the hopes that the parade could start earlier. Eventually, the organizers turned their focus to shortening the parade, rather than the luncheon.
As the twentieth century progressed, the White House luncheons became more and more elaborate. In 1945, President and Mrs. Roosevelt played host to over two thousand guests in what would be the last White House post-inaugural luncheon. In 1949, Secretary of the Senate Leslie Biffle hosted a small lunch for President Truman in his Capitol reception room. They dined on South Carolina turkey, Smithfield Ham, potato salad, and pumpkin pie. And in 1953, the JCCIC began its current tradition of hosting a luncheon for the President, Vice President and their spouses, Senate leaders, the JCCIC members, and other invited guests.
Since then, the JCCIC has organized a luncheon celebration at eight Presidential Inaugurations. Often featuring cuisine reflecting the home states of the new President and Vice President, as well as the theme of the Inauguration, the luncheon program includes speeches, gift presentations from the JCCIC, and toasts to the new administration.
Platform History
Fast Facts about the Platform
-
The inaugural platform is constructed entirely from scratch for each inaugural ceremony.
-
The platform will be more than 10,000 square feet—the same size as the platform used for the 2005 inaugural, which was the largest platform ever built for an inauguration.
-
On inauguration day it will hold more than 1,600 people including:
-
The President and Vice-President-elects and their families
-
Members of U.S. Senate and House of Representatives
-
Cabinet members and nominees
-
Justices of the Supreme Court
-
The outgoing President and Vice President
-
Former presidents
-
The Joint Chiefs of Staff
-
Governors
-
The diplomatic corps
-
-
In addition, bleachers built above the platform, on the Upper West
Terrace will hold another 1,000 people including choirs and guests. -
It is built entirely of lumber, to protect the surfaces of the Capitol.
-
The platform is fully ADA compliant.
-
It is a stadium design, which maximizes the sightlines for the guests on the platform.
-
It is designed to blend architecturally with the U.S. Capitol.
-
Planning and design of the platform began more than a year ago.
Tickets
Tickets to the 56th Inaugural Ceremonies will be provided free of charge and distributed through Members of the 111th Congress. The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies does not provide tickets to the public. Members of the public interested in attending the Inaugural Ceremonies should contact their Member of Congress or U.S. Senators to request tickets.
The public should also be aware that no website or other ticket outlet actually has inaugural swearing-in tickets to sell, regardless of what they may claim. Tickets will not be distributed to Congressional offices until the week before the inauguration and will require in-person pick-up.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the chairwoman of the inauguration committee, said Monday she she was prepared to ask Congress to make it a crime to scalp inauguration tickets.
"We have heard reports that there are people trying to scalp Inaugural tickets for more than $40,000 each. This is unconscionable and must not be allowed," Feinstein said in a statement.
"This inauguration will be the major civic event of our time, and these tickets are supposed to be free for the people. Nobody should have to pay for their tickets," she added.
The inaugural committee is alerting lawmakers that it is a violation of Congress’ code of ethics for members or staff to sell their tickets.
Parade
.jpg)
Inaugural Parade
Further information and an application to participate may be found at the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee.
Balls
The Presidential Inaugural Committee established after the November election—is responsible for all balls and galas hosted in honor of the newly-elected President.
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
Howdy I discovered your article by sheer luck, I was surfing around Yahoo for classic fashion when I found your site, I must say your blog is really intriguing I truely think the theme, its astounding!. I’m in a bit of a rush right now to completely browse your blog but I have bookmarked it and also signed up for your RSS feeds. I will be back when I free up some time. Thanks for a fantastic blog.