Franklin D. Roosevelt Fourth Inaugural Address SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1945 Mr. Chief Justice, Mr. Vice President, my friends, you will understand and, I believe, agree with my wish that the form of this inauguration be simple… Read More
Franklin D. Roosevelt Third Inaugural Address MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 1941 On each national day of inauguration since 1789, the people have renewed their sense of dedication to the United States. In Washington’s day the task of… Read More
Franklin D. Roosevelt Second Inaugural Address WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 1937 When four years ago we met to inaugurate a President, the Republic, single-minded in anxiety, stood in spirit here. We dedicated ourselves to the fulfillment of… Read More
Franklin D. Roosevelt First Inaugural Address SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 1933 I am certain that my fellow Americans expect that on my induction into the Presidency I will address them with a candor and a decision which… Read More
Herbert Hoover Inaugural Address MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1929 My Countrymen: This occasion is not alone the administration of the most sacred oath which can be assumed by an American citizen. It is a dedication… Read More
Calvin Coolidge Inaugural Address Wednesday, March 4, 1925 My Countrymen: NO one can contemplate current conditions without finding much that is satisfying and still more that is encouraging. Our own country is leading the… Read More
Warren G. Harding Inaugural Address FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1921 My Countrymen: When one surveys the world about him after the great storm, noting the marks of destruction and yet rejoicing in the ruggedness of the… Read More
Woodrow Wilson Second Inaugural Address The shadows that now lie dark upon our path will soon be dispelled, and we shall walk with the light all about us if we be but true to ourselves. Read More
Woodrow Wilson First Inaugural Address This is not a day of triumph; it is a day of dedication. Here muster, not the forces of party, but the forces of humanity. Read More
William Howard Taft Inaugural Address THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1909 My Fellow-Citizens: Anyone who has taken the oath I have just taken must feel a heavy weight of responsibility. If not, he has no conception of… Read More
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Address SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 1905 My fellow-citizens, no people on earth have more cause to be thankful than ours, and this is said reverently, in no spirit of boastfulness in our… Read More
William McKinley First Inaugural Address THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1897 Fellow-Citizens: In obedience to the will of the people, and in their presence, by the authority vested in me by this oath, I assume the arduous… Read More
Grover Cleveland Second Inaugural Address SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 1893 My Fellow-Citizens: In obedience of the mandate of my countrymen I am about to dedicate myself to their service under the sanction of a solemn oath.… Read More
Grover Cleveland First Inaugural Address WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1885 Fellow-Citizens: In the presence of this vast assemblage of my countrymen I am about to supplement and seal by the oath which I shall take the… Read More
Benjamin Harrison Inaugural Address MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1889 Fellow-Citizens: There is no constitutional or legal requirement that the President shall take the oath of office in the presence of the people, but there is… Read More
Chester A. Arthur Address Upon Assuming the Office of the President September 22, 1881 For the fourth time in the history of the Republic its Chief Magistrate has been removed by death. All hearts are filled with grief and horror at… Read More
James A. Garfield Inaugural Address Friday, March 4, 1881 Fellow-Citizens: WE stand to-day upon an eminence which overlooks a hundred years of national life—a century crowded with perils, but crowned with the triumphs of liberty and… Read More
Rutherford B. Hayes Inaugural Address MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1877 Fellow-Citizens: We have assembled to repeat the public ceremonial, begun by Washington, observed by all my predecessors, and now a time- honored custom, which marks the… Read More
Ulysses S. Grant Second Inaugural Address TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1873 Fellow-Citizens: Under Providence I have been called a second time to act as Executive over this great nation. It has been my endeavor in the past… Read More
Ulysses S. Grant First Inaugural Address THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1869 Citizens of the United States: Your suffrages having elected me to the office of President of the United States, I have, in conformity to the Constitution of our… Read More
Andrew Johnson Message Following the Death of Abraham Lincoln April 17, 1865 GENTLEMEN: I must be permitted to say that I have been almost overwhelmed by the announcement of the sad event which has so recently occurred. I feel… Read More
Abraham Lincoln Second Inaugural Address SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 1865 Fellow-Countrymen: At this second appearing to take the oath of the Presidential office there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first. Then… Read More
Abraham Lincoln First Inaugural Address I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so,… Read More
James Buchanan Inaugural Address Wednesday, March 4, 1857 Fellow-Citizens: I APPEAR before you this day to take the solemn oath “that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and will to… Read More
Franklin Pierce Inaugural Address FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1853 My Countrymen: It a relief to feel that no heart but my own can know the personal regret and bitter sorrow over which I have been… Read More
Zachary Taylor Inaugural Address MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1849 Elected by the American people to the highest office known to our laws, I appear here to take the oath prescribed by the Constitution, and, in compliance… Read More
James Knox Polk Inaugural Address TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1845 Fellow-Citizens: Without solicitation on my part, I have been chosen by the free and voluntary suffrages of my countrymen to the most honorable and most responsible… Read More
John Tyler Inaugural Address John Tyler Inaugural Address April 9, 1841 To the People of the United States FELLOW-CITIZENS: Before my arrival at the seat of Government the painful communication was made to you… Read More
William Henry Harrison Inaugural Address THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1841 Called from a retirement which I had supposed was to continue for the residue of my life to fill the chief executive office of this great… Read More
Martin Van Buren Inaugural Address Monday, March 4, 1837 Fellow-Citizens: The practice of all my predecessors imposes on me an obligation I cheerfully fulfill—to accompany the first and solemn act of my public trust with an… Read More