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Presidential Inaugurations: A Court of Honor

Gallery

  • Presidential Inaugurations: A Court of Honor - Photo 1

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    President Woodrow Wilson’s reviewing stand in 1913 was inspired by his boyhood home in Staunton, Virginia.

    Library of Congress
  • Inauguration Day

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    The Washington press mocked the small reviewing stand of President Calvin Coolidge and the brief one-hour parade in 1925.

    Library of Congress
  • Presidential Inaugurations: A Court of Honor - Photo 3

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    In 1929, Herbert Hoover’s striped reviewing stand gave the occasion a festive feeling.

    Library of Congress
  • Inaugural Parade for President Jimmy Carter

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    A peanut-shaped float passes by the reviewing stand for the inauguration parade of President Jimmy Carter on January 20, 1977, in Washington D.C.

    Library of Congress
  • Inaugural Review Stand for President George H.W. Bush

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    Presidential reviewing stand at the Inaugural Parade for President George H.W. Bush on January 20, 1989, in Washington, D.C.

    Library of Congress

About this Gallery

A reviewing stand is usually constructed for the use of the president during the inaugural parade, the necessity arising as inaugural parades got longer — sometimes lasting for more than five hours. The design of these stands has varied greatly over time, with some being little more than platforms, while others were ornate two-story edifices.

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