In Pictures: Presidential Inaugurations Through American History
From Washington to Trump.
Donald Trump is about to be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. His inauguration ceremony will take place on 20 January – as has every Inauguration Day since 1937.
Here we take a look back at more than 220 years of US presidential inaugurations, from 18th-century paintings to 21st-century colour photographs.
George Washington, president 1789–97
A painting depicting the inauguration of George Washington as the first president of the United States in 1789.
George Washington arriving at Congress Hall in Philadelphia, 4 March 1793, painting by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris.
Thomas Jefferson, president 1801–09
Thomas Jefferson tethers his horses to a post before attending his inauguration in 1801.
James Monroe, president 1817–25
James Monroe's inauguration as the USA's fifth president.
Andrew Jackson, president 1829–1837
A mob gathers outside the White House during Andrew Jackson's first inaugural reception, 1829.
A painting depicting the celebration of the inauguration of Andrew Jackson in 1829.
Martin Van Buren, president 1837–41
Inauguration of Martin Van Buren in the Senate Chamber, 4 March 1837.
William Henry Harrison, president 1841 (died in office)
Inauguration of William Henry Harrison, 1841.
James K. Polk, president 1845–49
Inauguration of James K Polk, 1845.
Zachary Taylor, president 1849–50
Inauguration of Zachary Taylor, 1849.
Franklin Pierce, president 1853–57
Military units precede Franklin Pierce's carriage down Pennsylvania Avenue during Inauguration Day ceremonies, 1853.
James Buchanan, president 1857–61
Inauguration of James Buchanan, 1857.
Abraham Lincoln, president 1861–65 (assassinated)
Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, 4 March 1861.
Ulysses S. Grant, president 1869–77
Ulysses S. Grant is sworn in, 4 March 1869.
Rutherford B. Hayes, president 1877–81
A crowd watches the inauguration of Rutherford B. Hayes on the east front of the US Capitol, 5 March 1877.
Grover Cleveland, president 1885–89 and 1893–97
People parade in front of the US Capitol at the inauguration of Grover Cleveland, Washington DC, 4 March 1893.
Grover Cleveland delivering his inaugural address at the Capitol.
William McKinley, president 1897–1901
Theodore Roosevelt, president 1901–09
Secret Service men on each side of the carriage for Theodore Roosevelt's inauguration, 4 March 1905.
Inauguration of Theodore Roosevelt.
William Howard Taft, president 1909–13
Woodrow Wilson, president 1913–21
Members of the "Valiant 16" leave Newark in New Jersey on the first leg of their New York to Washington walk to attend the inauguration of Woodrow Wilson in 1913. They were campaigning for votes for women as part of the Women's Suffrage Movement.
Inauguration of Woodrow Wilson.
Warren G. Harding, president 1921–23 (died in office)
Inaugural procession for Warren G. Harding.
Calvin Coolidge, president 1923–29
Calvin Coolidge and his wife on their way to his inauguration.
Herbert Hoover, president 1929–1933
Herbert Hoover delivers his inaugural speech.
Franklin D. Roosevelt, president 1933–45 (died in office)
On the day of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidential inauguration, he rides with his predecessor, Herbert Hoover, to the ceremony, 4 March 1933.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt watches soldiers marching at his inaugural parade, 1933.
Harry S. Truman, president 1945–53
President Harry Truman inauguration parade for his second term in 1949.
Dwight D. Eisenhower, president 1953–61
President Dwight Eisenhower during his inaugural address of his second term in 1957.
Mamie Eisenhower attaching an orchid to her dress in preparation for the inaugural ceremonies for her husband.
John F. Kennedy, president 1961–63
Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy on the day of his inauguration.
Jacqueline Kennedy attending the inauguration of her husband.
Singer Marian Anderson performs at John F. Kennedy's inauguration.
Lyndon B. Johnson, president 1963–69
Lyndon Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson stand in the Yellow Oval Room of the White House for a preinauguration photograph.
Secret Service agents walk alongside Lyndon Johnson's black limousine in his inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue, 1965.
Richard Nixon, president 1969–74 (resigned from office)
VIPs at Richard Nixon's presidential inauguration, Washington DC, 1969.
Police restrain a demonstrator during anti-war protests at Richard Nixon's inauguration, 1969.
Gerald Ford, president 1974–77
Jimmy Carter, president 1977–1981
Jimmy Carter makes his inaugural speech after being sworn in.
Ronald Reagan, president 1981–89
Ronald Reagan takes the oath of office during inauguration ceremonies in Washington DC. His wife, Nancy, holds the bible and Chief Justice Warren Burger is administering the oath.
George H. W. Bush, president 1989–93
George Bush raises his hand as he takes the oath of office in 1989. His wife, Barbara Bush, stands to his left, while Vice President Dan Quayle is behind her.
Bill Clinton, president 1993–2001
Supreme Court Justice William Reinquist administers the oath at the inauguration of Bill Clinton.
Hillary Clinton prepares to board a bus that will take her, Bill Clinton, and their entourage from Monticello to Washington DC as part of the festivities surrounding the inauguration in 1993.
George W. Bush, president 2001–09
Inauguration Day, 2001.
Protesters and supporters along Pennsylvania Avenue as the presidential motorcade drives by, 2001.
George W. Bush gives a thumbs-up and his vice president, Dick Cheney, waves to the crowd during the inauguration parade, 2001.
George W. Bush appears amid family members during inaugural ceremonies on Capitol Hill, 2005.
Barack Obama, president 2009–17
Crowds of spectators gathered on the mall for Barack Obama's swearing-in as the 44th president of the United States, 2009.
Barack Obama is sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts. Michelle Obama holds Lincoln's bible for the ceremony, while Malia and Sasha Obama look on.
Barack and Michelle Obama dance during the Commander-in-Chief Ball at the National Building Museum in Washington DC, 2009.
Preparations for the inauguration of Donald Trump, 2017
Workers hang flags on the US Capitol for the inauguration of Donald Trump.
Donald Trump gummy bears for sale on the store shelf of White House Gifts.