Inauguration Day 2025 ~ information & activities

This Monday is Inauguration Day 2025, a monumental event in the United States where we welcome our new President and Vice President. This day is packed with history, tradition, and fun facts. I created this post to help your family participate in this monumental event. Scattered throughout this post are printable resources to help you interact with the activities.

Here is a site with a detailed schedule for the 2025 Inauguration Day. As of Friday afternoon, the swearing in ceremony has been moved indoors due to concerns over the winter weather advisory for Inauguration Day (Monday, January 20th). Here is the link to the Fox News streaming lineup for the Inauguration.

What Is Inauguration Day? Inauguration Day is the official ceremony where the President-elect and Vice President-elect are sworn into office, marking the beginning of their four-year term. This event takes place every four years on January 20th. If January 20th falls on a Sunday, the public ceremony is held the following day, while the oath is taken privately on the 20th.

A Brief History of Inauguration Day: Originally, Inauguration Day was held on March 4th, commemorating the day the U.S. Constitution took effect in 1789. However, this four-month gap between the November election and the March inauguration caused delays in addressing national issues. To streamline the transition, the 20th Amendment was ratified in 1933, moving Inauguration Day to January 20th. The first President to be inaugurated on this new date was Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1937.

Importance of Inauguration Day: Inauguration Day symbolizes the peaceful transfer of power, a cornerstone of America’s government, which is contained by the guidelines of our Constitution. This tradition ensures stability and continuity in the nation’s leadership. It’s a day that unites citizens, reminding us of our shared values and the democratic process that allows for change and progress.

Key Events of Inauguration Day: The day’s festivities are rich with tradition and ceremony:

• Morning Worship Service: The President-elect often begins the day with a religious service, reflecting on the responsibilities ahead.
• White House Meeting: The outgoing President and the President-elect meet at the White House, showcasing unity and cooperation.
• Swearing-In Ceremony: At noon, the President-elect takes the Oath of Office, a 35-word pledge to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” This ceremony typically occurs at the U.S. Capitol’s West Front. (2025 will be held inside as noted above.)
• Inaugural Address: Following the oath, the new President delivers a speech outlining their vision and goals for the nation.
• Inaugural Parade: A celebratory procession featuring marching bands, military units, and floats travels down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House.
• Inaugural Balls: In the evening, formal dances and parties are held to honor the new administration.

Fun Facts About Inauguration Day:

• Oath of Office: The Constitution specifies the exact words of the Presidential Oath. Any deviation requires the oath to be retaken, as happened with President Barack Obama in 2009.
• First Inauguration: George Washington’s first inauguration in 1789 was delayed to April 30th due to travel difficulties.
• Weather Woes: William Henry Harrison’s 1841 inauguration was marked by cold weather. He delivered the longest inaugural address in history, which led to him catching pneumonia and passing away a month later.

Family Activities for Inauguration Day! To make Inauguration Day more interactive and educational, here are some fun activities you can do:

1. Write Your Own Oath: Think about promises you would make if you were President. Write them down and share them with your family.
2. Design a Parade Float: Draw or craft a model of a float that represents something important to you or symbolizes America.
3. Learn About Past Presidents: Choose a President and research their achievements, challenges, and interesting facts. Share your findings with family.
4. Create a Vision Board: Imagine the future you want for the country. Cut out pictures and words from magazines to represent your ideas and assemble them on a vision board.
5. Host a Mock Inauguration: With family or friends, reenact the inauguration ceremony. Assign roles like President, Vice President, and Chief Justice, and perform the swearing-in and inaugural address.

How to Watch Inauguration Day: Even if you can’t be in Washington, D.C., you can watch the inauguration on TV or online. Many news channels and websites stream the event live, allowing you to witness history from the comfort of your home.

Why It’s Important for Kids: Understanding Inauguration Day helps you learn about the democratic process and the importance of leadership and responsibility. It also shows how traditions and ceremonies play a role in uniting the country. Inauguration Day is more than just a ceremony; it’s a celebration of democracy, unity, and the peaceful transition of power. By learning about and participating in this event, you become a part of the nation’s rich history and its promising future. So, mark your calendars for January 20th, 2025, and join in the festivities of Inauguration Day!

Continue to pray for our nation!

• As Christians, many of us have been committed to prayer throughout the election and Inaugural season, and it is crucial that we continue to seek the Lord in prayer for our country.
• Let us pray for a smooth and peaceful transition of leadership from the Biden administration to the Trump administration. Ask the Lord to grant the new administration wisdom and efficiency in addressing the many, big challenges facing Americans. Pray that President Trump will surround himself with individuals who love the Lord and hold a biblical worldview, appointing them to positions of influence.
• Pray specifically for President Trump’s salvation, that he would lead with humility and godliness. Lift up the administration in prayer, asking that they take a firm stand for life and work to protect the lives of unborn children.
• We can thank God for the outcomes from Florida, South Dakota, and Nebraska, where voters rejected amendments that would have added abortion rights to their state constitutions and overturned all existing pro-life laws. Praise the Lord for the decisions made by those who voted to preserve innocent life!
• At the same time, we deeply grieve the outcomes in other states, such as Montana and Missouri, where amendments were passed to add abortion “rights” to their constitutions. In Missouri, this decision was made through unclear wording and presentation of the proposal and overturns a near-total abortion ban that only allowed the procedure when the mother’s life was at risk. Now, abortion is permitted up until the point of viability, typically around 21 weeks, in that state. Let us continue to pray fervently for these states and against the evil that has prevailed in certain areas.
• We should be deeply grateful to the Lord for many of the positive decisions made in this election. Let us remain steadfast in prayer for our nation and for those in leadership, trusting the Lord’s guidance and provision for the days ahead.