Not every presidential inauguration proceeds as expected.
Joe Biden is preparing to take the oath of office during an inauguration day on Wednesday that will look different because of the coronavirus. But he will not be the first leader to find something unusual on the opening day of his presidency.
Here are four of the most unusual presidential inaugurations in all of American history:
The intense cold moves the second possession of Ronald Reagan inside the house
Washington, DC, was ready for this one – until Mother Nature decided to have other plans.
The Republican president’s second inauguration ceremony was forced to stay indoors and his parade was canceled when a terrible temperature swept the country’s capital in early 1985.
First Lady Nancy Reagan watches as President Ronald Reagan takes an oath during ceremonies at the Rotunda under the Capitol in Washington on January 21, 1985. Reagan, forced into a record-breaking freeze, re-enacted his oath and took a second run dedication to its conservative principles.
((AP Photo / Ron Edmonds))
Reagan ended up taking the oath of office inside the Capitol Rotunda in front of a few hundred people. About 140,000 ticket holders expected to watch outdoors – but the National Meteorological Service says the temperature was 2 degrees below zero that morning, with gusts that looked like minus 23 degrees.
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Reagan said medical and military experts warned him that under the anticipated windy and freezing conditions, “the exposed meat could freeze in five to 10 minutes, creating considerable danger for many of the parade and ceremony participants, spectators and the general public. “.
Ron Walker, chairman of the 50th Inaugural American Presidential Committee, told the Associated Press at the time that he wanted to “cry” after hearing about the change in plans.
But the announcement brought relief to others.
“I am sure that children who play wind instruments would have their skin ripped from their lips,” said fashion designer Donna Bailey.
The opening of Calvin Coolidge late at night
Presidential inaugurations are usually held at the US Capitol during the middle of the day.
However, by Calvin Coolidge, he took the oath of office around 2:30 am on August 4, 1923, at his family’s home in Vermont.
A composite photograph of Calvin Coolidge being sworn in as president at his family’s home in Vermont on August 3, 1923. (Library of Congress)
Coolidge, then vice president, was on vacation in Plymouth Notch when he received the news that President Warren Harding had died.
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“In the light of a kerosene lamp, his father, who was a notary, administered the oath of office when Coolidge put his hand on the family Bible,” says the White House.
Subsequently, Colonel John Coolidge said “no one told me I couldn’t” when asked if he was allowed, as a notary, to preach America’s next president.
California Cowboy Ties Dwight Eisenhower During Inauguration Parade
Everyone seemed to enjoy this feat – except the Secret Service.
Rodeo actor and performer Montie Montana was photographed tying Dwight Eisenhower during the Opening Day parade on January 20, 1953.
Vice President Richard Nixon, on the right, and Mamie Eisenhower, in the center, watch Dwight Eisenhower being snared by the Californian cowboy Montie Montana as he passed the presidential section during the inaugural parade. (National Park Service)
Montana – who had appeared in western movies with John Wayne – rode to Eisenhower on horseback and asked for permission to play the rope, according to an Associated Press report at the time.
“Eisenhower gently stood up, and the cowboy, on the second try, tied the noose around his shoulders at a distance of about 4.5 meters,” he said. “The crowd loved it and gave a big round of applause.”
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But Montana later told the Los Angeles Times that the president’s protection team was not amused.
“I was lucky that the Secret Service didn’t ventilate me,” he said.
William Henry Harrison catches a fatal cold on inauguration day
America’s ninth president holds the record for the longest inaugural speech, speaking for an hour and 40 minutes on March 4, 1841.
Even with the temperature reaching 54 degrees that day, Harrison made his speech in the rain and without a coat.
Presidential inauguration of William Henry Harrison on March 4, 1841. (Library of Congress)
He kept the same wardrobe for the parade and then spent several hours outside the White House greeting people while the temperature cooled.
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Harrison caught a cold after the long day, and later developed pneumonia.
He died about a month later, spending just 31 days in total in office.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.