Collection Native Americans and the White House
Native Americans hold a significant place in White House history. For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples, including the Nacotchtank and...
Main Content
President Abraham Lincoln delivered his second inaugural address, March 4, 1865, near the end of the Civil War.
George Washington delivered the first inaugural address, invoking God’s guidance, demurring about his qualifications for presidential tasks, and declaring his intention to accept no salary -- save expenses -- while serving. It was Washington who in 1793 gave the shortest inaugural address of 135 words, while William Henry Harrison’s 1841 speech, lasting almost two hours, was the longest at 8,455 words.
Inaugural speeches set the tone for the incoming administration. Sometimes they are intended to persuade, as when Abraham Lincoln in 1861 urged the seceding southern states to avoid war, or to heal and reconcile, as when he stated his policy toward the defeated Confederacy in 1865, promising "malice toward none" and "charity for all."
Some presidents have spoken directly to the nation’s concerns. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1933 inaugural assertion, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself," allayed the panic of a people gripped by the Great Depression. John F. Kennedy’s 1961 challenge — "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" — sent an idealistic message, calling for change and sacrifice.
Usually bipartisan and unifying, the inaugural address gives the president a first "center stage" opportunity to introduce his vision to the nation and the world.
This photograph is of President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivering his First Inaugural Address in Washington, D.C. on March 4, 1933.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum/NARANative Americans hold a significant place in White House history. For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples, including the Nacotchtank and...
In 1821-1822, Susan Decatur requested the construction of a service wing. The first floor featured a large kitchen, dining room,...
Every year since 1981, the White House Historical Association has had the privilege of designing the Official White House Christmas Ornament....
Thousands of people traverse historic Lafayette Park every day to get a glimpse of the White House. The park, right...
Honoring some of the greatest moments in sports history has become a tradition at the White House. Presidents and their...
Throughout our history, presidents have faced crises that have gripped both the nation and the world. In this episode, Association...
While the presidency is often in the eye of the public, those who ensure operations at the White House run...
This year marks the centennial of the 19th Amendment, the culmination of the suffragists' fight to secure the right to...
The collection of fine art at the White House has evolved and grown over time. The collection began with mostly...
When you’re cooking for the president and first family, your meals and recipes become a part of history. In th...
Wine has a long and important history in the White House, playing a unique role in entertaining, public ceremonies, and...
Every year since 1981, the White House Historical Association has had the privilege of designing the Official White House Christmas Ornament....