Next Tuesday, four million are expected to descend on Washington to celebrate our 44th president and watch him take the oath of office. So how much do you know about inaugurations past and present? Keep reading to take the official “Inauguration Trivia Challenge” and see!

Mrs. Trullinger’s 1st Annual Inaugural Trivial Challenge

  1. What have all presidents since FDR attended prior to the inaugural service?
  2. At whose inauguration were African-Americans part of the procession for the first time?
  3. Who was the first president to ride in a car during the inaugural procession? (Hint: 1921.)
  4. Since 1937, Vice Presidents have been sworn into office on the inaugural platform in front of the capital. The most popular place for the oath before 1937 was in the ________________.
  5. George Washington’s inauguration took place at Federal Hall in New York, on a balcony that overlooked what famous street?
  6. Which president started the tradition of inviting a poet to participate in the inaugural ceremony?
  7. Who had his father (who was a justice of the peace) swear into office?
  8. Who was the only president to take the oath of office onboard Air Force One?
  9. Who gave the shortest inaugural address, clocking in at only 135 words?
  10. Who gave the longest inaugural address, clocking in at 8,445 words?
  11. Which president’s inaugural address was broadcast via radio for the first time?
  12. Who delivered his address over television airwaves for the first time?
  13. Whose inaugural ceremony was the first to be broadcast live over the internet?
  14. Whose inaugural parade in 1985 was canceled due wind chill temperatures in the negative 10s and 20s?
  15. Most presidential inaugurations have occurred in March. Why is it now in January?
  16. Who was the first president to be inaugurated in Washington D.C.?
  17. Who took the oath of office on two Bibles, both family heirlooms?
  18. Who was the only unelected person to become president?
  19. Who took the presidential oath of office privately on March 3, and publicly on March 5?
  20. Who was the only president not sworn in on a Bible?

Stumped yet? Ready for the answers? Click here.