{"id":2392565,"date":"2025-01-20T07:49:01","date_gmt":"2025-01-20T12:49:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/three-flubs-from-past-presidential-inaugurations-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-01-20T07:53:38","modified_gmt":"2025-01-20T12:53:38","slug":"three-flubs-from-past-presidential-inaugurations-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/three-flubs-from-past-presidential-inaugurations-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Three flubs from past presidential inaugurations &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fthree-flubs-from-past-presidential-inaugurations-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2392565&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">text\u200c outlines notable mishaps<\/a>\u200d that have occurred \u2062during past <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-republicans-expose-pelosis-culpability-in-jan-6-riot\/\" title=\"House Republicans Expose Pelosi\u2019s Culpability In Jan. 6 Riot\">presidential inaugurations<\/a>, emphasizing that despite \u2062the \u2063event&#8217;s careful orchestration to symbolize the peaceful transfer of \u2063power, unexpected incidents can \u2062arise. As the 60th \u200binauguration approaches, the article highlights three specific flubs:<\/p>\n<p>1. **Robert Frost&#8217;s Poem (1961)**: During President \u200cJohn F.Kennedy&#8217;s\u2064 inauguration, \u2063poet Robert Frost was supposed to read &#8220;Dedication&#8221; but was unable to due to the sun&#8217;s glare reflecting off\u2062 the snow. \u2063He ultimately\u200d recited &#8220;The Gift Outright&#8221; from memory instead.Additionally, during the ceremony, the podium caught fire while\u200c Cardinal Richard Cushing was giving an invocation.<\/p>\n<p>2. **John \u2064Roberts&#8217; \u2063Oath Administration (2009)**:\u200b Chief \u2062Justice John\u2063 Roberts,\u200d while administering the oath of \u2063office to President Barack Obama, fumbled the wording, which led to \u2063a confusing moment during the ceremony. <\/p>\n<p>The summary reflects how, throughout the history of presidential inaugurations,\u200d various entertaining\u200c and awkward moments have unfolded, showcasing the unpredictability\u2063 even in well-prepared events.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Three flubs from past presidential inaugurations<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1933979\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The presidential <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/inauguration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"inauguration\">inauguration<\/a> is a carefully orchestrated event symbolizing the peaceful transfer of power between presidents, but sometimes things do not go according to plan.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Throughout the prior 59 inauguration ceremonies, there have been moments of celebration and of various mishaps. As the 60th inauguration is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3290757\/trump-inauguration-forced-inside-by-dangerously-cold-temperatures\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"slated\">slated<\/a> to take place in the Capitol Rotunda on Monday, here are some of the flubs and times things did not go to plan in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/inauguration-day-2025-what-to-know-as-trump-takes-office\/\" title=\"Inauguration Day 2025: What to know as Trump takes office\">past inaugurations<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Robert Frost ditches planned poem (1961)<\/h2>\n<p>Robert Frost prepared a poem for President John F. Kennedy&rsquo;s inauguration titled &ldquo;Dedication&rdquo; to read as an introduction to his poem &ldquo;The Gift Outright.&rdquo; <\/p>\n<p>He had planned to read it off of a card, but as he <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=XInL2u0DP88\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"read\">read<\/a> it, Frost was blinded by the sun&rsquo;s glare off the snow and gave up on reading &ldquo;Dedication,&rdquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.loc.gov\/exhibits\/treasures\/tr33b.html#obj4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"read\">according to<\/a> the Library of Congress.<\/p>\n<p>Frost got halfway through the introduction before moving on to reciting &ldquo;The Gift Outright&rdquo; from memory, as Kennedy had requested.<\/p>\n<p>The swearing-in of Kennedy also had another unfortunate moment, when the podium <a href=\"https:\/\/www.today.com\/news\/60th-anniversary-jfk-s-inauguration-revisit-event-s-big-moments-t205934\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"caught fire\">caught fire<\/a> while Cardinal Richard Cushing was delivering an invocation. The fire was quickly put out, but smoke could be seen in photos and videos of the event as Cushing was speaking.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Roberts bungles Obama&rsquo;s swearing-in (2009)<\/h2>\n<p>During President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/barack-obama\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Barack Obama\">Barack Obama<\/a>&lsquo;s first inauguration in January 2009, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts administered the traditional oath of office. It was the first time Roberts conducted the oath at a presidential inauguration since he became chief justice in 2005, and it was not a smooth rendition.<\/p>\n<p>Roberts <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=m1Yff-_9MZs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"began\">began<\/a> with the first line, which Obama began reciting before the chief justice finished but quickly stopped and waited until Roberts had finished. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">FILE &ndash; Barack Obama, left, joined by his wife Michelle, takes the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts to become the 44th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., in this Jan. 20, 2009 file photo. Obama is putting a symbolic twist on a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/put-their-hands-on-their-hearts-and-just-start-singing-it-megyn-kelly-has-advice-for-fans-when-team-owners-cancel-national-anthem\/\" title=\"\u2018Put Their Hands On Their Hearts And Just Start Singing It\u2019: Megyn Kelly Has Advice For Fans When Team Owners Cancel National Anthem\">time-honored tradition<\/a>, taking the oath of office for his second term with his hand placed not on a single Bible, but two, one owned by Martin Luther King Jr. and one by Abraham Lincoln.  (AP Photo\/Jae C. Hong, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>During the second line Roberts shifted the words, saying &ldquo;that I will execute the office to president to the United States faithfully&rdquo; instead of the constitutionally proscribed &ldquo;that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States.&rdquo; Obama began reciting the line, before pausing after &ldquo;execute,&rdquo; seeming confused, with Roberts then repeating the incorrect order of the line.<\/p>\n<p>The rest of the oath of office went off without any issues, with Obama following in the tradition of adding &ldquo;so help me God&rdquo; to the end of the oath. <\/p>\n<p>Obama was legally sworn in as president during the ceremony, but the White House, out of abundance of caution because of the flubbed second line, had the president <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/story\/2009\/01\/audio-obama-retakes-oath-of-office-017778\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"retake\">retake<\/a> the oath on Jan. 22, in a private ceremony at the executive mansion.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Harrison&rsquo;s long speech in the cold begins short presidency<\/h2>\n<p>On March 4, 1841, President William Harrison was sworn into office on the East Portico of the Capitol Building, during an overcast and day where the temperature was 48 degrees Fahrenheit.<\/p>\n<p>After being sworn in at noon, he delivered the longest inaugural address in history, lasting roughly two hours, with <a href=\"https:\/\/millercenter.org\/president\/harrison\/death-of-the-president\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"no coat\">no coat<\/a> or hat on. Harrison would later develop a cold, which would lead to pneumonia. He died exactly a month after the swearing-in ceremony, after battling the illness.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For much of the time since his death, his decision not to wear a coat and hat in the cold weather was blamed for his cold and eventual death, but some historians <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxweather.com\/lifestyle\/inauguration-weather-killed-president-william-henry-harrison\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"believe\">believe<\/a> the two are not correlated.<\/p>\n<p>President-elect Donald Trump will not have to worry about the cold on his Monday swearing-in ceremony, as the inauguration is planned to be held indoors due the forecast bitter cold.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1933979\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1933979\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Three notable mishaps from past presidential inaugurations<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2638,"featured_media":2392566,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/obama-inauguration-swearing-in-flub.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[4919,15377,5894,33668,32076],"class_list":["post-2392565","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-history","tag-inauguration","tag-politics","tag-presidential-elections","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/obama-inauguration-swearing-in-flub.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2392565","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2638"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2392565"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2392565\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2392569,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2392565\/revisions\/2392569"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2392566"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2392565"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2392565"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2392565"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}