Three flubs from past presidential inaugurations – Washington Examiner

The text‌ outlines notable mishaps‍ that have occurred ⁢during past presidential inaugurations, emphasizing that despite ⁢the ⁣event’s careful orchestration to symbolize the peaceful transfer of ⁣power, unexpected incidents can ⁢arise. As the 60th ​inauguration approaches, the article highlights three specific flubs:

1. **Robert Frost’s Poem (1961)**: During President ‌John F.Kennedy’s⁤ inauguration, ⁣poet Robert Frost was supposed to read “Dedication” but was unable to due to the sun’s glare reflecting off⁢ the snow. ⁣He ultimately‍ recited “The Gift Outright” from memory instead.Additionally, during the ceremony, the podium caught fire while‌ Cardinal Richard Cushing was giving an invocation.

2. **John ⁤Roberts’ ⁣Oath Administration (2009)**:​ Chief ⁢Justice John⁣ Roberts,‍ while administering the oath of ⁣office to President Barack Obama, fumbled the wording, which led to ⁣a confusing moment during the ceremony.

The summary reflects how, throughout the history of presidential inaugurations,‍ various entertaining‌ and awkward moments have unfolded, showcasing the unpredictability⁣ even in well-prepared events.


Three flubs from past presidential inaugurations

The presidential inauguration is a carefully orchestrated event symbolizing the peaceful transfer of power between presidents, but sometimes things do not go according to plan.

Throughout the prior 59 inauguration ceremonies, there have been moments of celebration and of various mishaps. As the 60th inauguration is slated to take place in the Capitol Rotunda on Monday, here are some of the flubs and times things did not go to plan in past inaugurations.

Robert Frost ditches planned poem (1961)

Robert Frost prepared a poem for President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration titled “Dedication” to read as an introduction to his poem “The Gift Outright.”

He had planned to read it off of a card, but as he read it, Frost was blinded by the sun’s glare off the snow and gave up on reading “Dedication,” according to the Library of Congress.

Frost got halfway through the introduction before moving on to reciting “The Gift Outright” from memory, as Kennedy had requested.

The swearing-in of Kennedy also had another unfortunate moment, when the podium caught fire 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.

Roberts bungles Obama’s swearing-in (2009)

During President Barack Obama‘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.

Roberts began with the first line, which Obama began reciting before the chief justice finished but quickly stopped and waited until Roberts had finished.

FILE – 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 time-honored tradition, 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)

During the second line Roberts shifted the words, saying “that I will execute the office to president to the United States faithfully” instead of the constitutionally proscribed “that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States.” Obama began reciting the line, before pausing after “execute,” seeming confused, with Roberts then repeating the incorrect order of the line.

The rest of the oath of office went off without any issues, with Obama following in the tradition of adding “so help me God” to the end of the oath.

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 retake the oath on Jan. 22, in a private ceremony at the executive mansion.

Harrison’s long speech in the cold begins short presidency

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.

After being sworn in at noon, he delivered the longest inaugural address in history, lasting roughly two hours, with no coat 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.

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 believe the two are not correlated.

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.


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