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Photos show what the presidential inauguration looked like 100 years ago

19 January 2025 at 06:32
President Calvin Coolidge and first lady Grace Coolidge at the 1925 inauguration.
President Calvin Coolidge and first lady Grace Coolidge at the 1925 inauguration.

Hulton Archive/Getty Images

  • On March 4, 1925, nearly 100 years ago, President Calvin Coolidge was inaugurated for a second time.
  • He served a partial term beginning in 1923 after the death of President Warren G. Harding.
  • Coolidge's inauguration was the first to be broadcast live on the radio, with 22.8 million listeners.

On January 20, Donald Trump will be inaugurated for his second non-consecutive term as president in a tradition as old as the United States itself.

Nearly 100 years ago, President Calvin Coolidge took the same oath of office outside the Capitol. His inauguration was the first to be broadcast live on the radio, and he did not host any inaugural balls as part of his efforts to curb excessive government spending.

In honor of the coming inauguration, here's a look back at what the celebrations looked like a century ago.

President Calvin Coolidge, first lady Grace Coolidge, Vice President Charles Dawes, and second lady Caro Dawes posed together at the White House before leaving for the inauguration.
Calvin Coolidge and Grace Coolidge with Charles Dawes and Caro Dawes.
From left to right: Grace Coolidge, Calvin Coolidge, Caro Dawes, and Charles Dawes.

Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Calvin Coolidge served a partial term beginning in 1923 after the death of President Warren G. Harding and was reelected in 1924.

Charles Dawes was chosen as Coolidge's vice presidential nominee at the 1924 Republican National Convention.

Onlookers lined the streets of Washington, DC, to catch a glimpse of the president.
Calvin Coolidge's inaugural parade.
Calvin Coolidge and Grace Coolidge rode to the inauguration in a car.

Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Calvin Coolidge and Grace Coolidge rode to the inauguration in a convertible automobile accompanied by a mounted honor guard and cavalry escort.

At a press conference ahead of the inauguration, Calvin Coolidge said he intended for the event to be "moderate in its proportions and moderate in its expenditures." He saved the joint Congressional Inaugural Committee $16,000 by reducing the size of the parade and the amount of security, stands, and decorations, according to the Smithsonian Institution Archives.

Vendors sold souvenir buttons to commemorate the event.
Buttons sold for Calvin Coolidge's inauguration.
Vendors sold Calvin Coolidge buttons on Inauguration Day.

New York Daily News Archive/NY Daily News via Getty Images

The buttons featured the faces of Calvin Coolidge and Charles Dawes. Today, the mementos are rare collectibles.

Crowds gathered outside the Capitol to watch the inauguration.
An aerial view of the 1925 inauguration.
Crowds at the inauguration of Calvin Coolidge.

Library of Congress/Interim Archives/Getty Images

Around 30,000 people attended the 1925 inauguration, UPI reported.

Chief Justice and former President William Howard Taft administered the oath of office β€” the first time a former president swore in another president.
Calvin Coolidge takes the oath of office.
The inauguration of Calvin Coolidge.

Topical Press Agency/Getty Images

Grace Coolidge did not hold the Bible for her husband's swearing-in ceremony. In 1964, Lady Bird Johnson became the first incoming first lady to hold the Bible for her husband, Lyndon B. Johnson.

In his inaugural address, Calvin Coolidge spoke about the need to cut taxes and reduce wasteful government spending.
Calvin Coolidge delivers his inaugural address.
Calvin Coolidge delivered his inaugural address.

PhotoQuest/Getty Images

"The men and women of this country who toil are the ones who bear the cost of the government," he said. "Every dollar that we carelessly waste means that their life will be so much the more meager. Every dollar that we prudently save means that their life will be so much the more abundant."

Coolidge's inauguration was the first to be broadcast live on the radio. Around 22.8 million listeners tuned in.
Crowds listen to Calvin Coolidge's inauguration speech over the radio.
Crowds listened to Calvin Coolidge's inaugural address over the radio in New York City's Union Square.

New York Daily News Archive/NY Daily News via Getty Images

The ceremony was broadcast across the country over AT&T telephone wires. Photos of the event were also sent to newsrooms via wire photography transmissions. From Washington, DC, it took seven minutes for photos to reach New York City and an hour to reach Los Angeles, according to the Smithsonian Institution Archives.

Calvin Coolidge did not throw or attend any inaugural balls, though some private charity balls were held in his honor.
Calvin Coolidge's inaugural ball.
An inaugural charity ball held for Calvin Coolidge's inauguration.

HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

The United States Navy Band Orchestra performed at a charity inaugural ball held in honor of Calvin Coolidge at the Mayflower Hotel, even though the president himself wasn't in attendance.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Photos show inaugural gowns first ladies have worn over the last 100 years

21 January 2025 at 08:31
melania trump inauguration gown
Donald Trump and Melania Trump at an inaugural ball in 2017.

Kevin Dietsch - Pool/Getty Images

  • President Donald Trump was inaugurated on January 20.
  • First ladies have worn tailored suits and glamorous designer dresses to inaugural festivities.
  • Many first ladies' inaugural gowns are displayed at the National Museum of American History.

President Joe Biden left office on January 20, and President Donald Trump was inaugurated for a second non-consecutive term.

While the inauguration is really about swearing in the next president, first ladies throughout history have stolen the show with their tailored suits and glamorous designer dresses.

First ladies traditionally donate their Inauguration Day looks to the National Museum of American History's exhibit of inaugural gowns, which dates back to 1912.

Here's a look back at the stylish ensembles that first ladies have worn on Inauguration Day.

Grace Coolidge, 1925
Calvin Coolidge and Grace Coolidge at the 1925 inauguration.
Calvin Coolidge and Grace Coolidge.

AP

Grace Coolidge was all smiles in a gray dress and top hat to match President Calvin Coolidge's during his second inauguration.

Grace Coolidge was an immensely popular first lady whose friendliness balanced Calvin Coolidge's reserved nature, according to the White House.

Lou Henry Hoover, 1929
herbert hoover lou henry hoover inauguration
Herbert Hoover and Lou Henry Hoover.

AP Photo

Lou Henry Hoover wore a velvet dress with a zig-zag pattern to Herbert Hoover's inauguration.

In May 1929, she became the first first lady to appear in Vogue, Katherine A.S. Sibley wrote in "A Companion to First Ladies."

Eleanor Roosevelt, 1933
Eleanor Roosevelt in her inaugural gown.
Eleanor Roosevelt.

Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

The shade of Eleanor Roosevelt's inaugural gown became known as "Eleanor Blue" at President Franklin D. Roosevelt's first inauguration.

Eleanor Roosevelt's dress and matching wrap were made of velvet, The New York Times reported. Her gowns were designed and made entirely in the US.

Eleanor Roosevelt, 1937
Eleanor Roosevelt.
Eleanor Roosevelt.

Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

Eleanor Roosevelt chose a white Sally Milgrim design for her husband's second inauguration.

Eleanor Roosevelt, 1941
Eleanor Roosevelt in her inaugural gown in 1941.
Eleanor Roosevelt.

Edward Steichen/Conde Nast via Getty Images

She wore another ivory dress for Franklin D. Roosevelt's third inauguration in 1941.

Eleanor Roosevelt, 1945
Eleanor Roosevelt in her inauguration looks from 1945.
Eleanor Roosevelt.

Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Eleanor Roosevelt wore a pink lace gown to her husband's historic fourth inauguration.

In 1951, the 22nd Amendment was ratified, placing limits on the number of terms a president could serve.

Bess Truman, 1945
bess truman inauguration
Harry S. Truman and Bess Truman.

AP Photo

No inaugural ball was held when President Harry S. Truman was sworn in shortly after Roosevelt's death in 1945. Bess Truman wore a matching skirt suit set with a ruffled blouse when her husband took the oath of office.

Bess Truman, 1949
truman inauguration 1949
Bess Truman, left, with members of the Truman family.

AP Photo/stf

In 1949, Bess Truman wore a fur coat to her husband's second inauguration. Later, for the inaugural balls, she wore a gray satin dress with a silver feather pattern.

Mamie Eisenhower, 1953
Mamie Eisenhower’s Inaugural Gown, 1953
Mamie Eisenhower and Dwight Eisenhower.

AP

Mamie Eisenhower wore a pale-pink de soie inaugural gown which was embroidered with over 2,000 rhinestones.

Mamie Eisenhower, 1957
Mamie Eisenhower in her inaugural gown in 1957.
Mamie Eisenhower.

Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Mamie Eisenhower's 1957 inaugural gown, designed by Nettie Rosenstein, was embroidered with pearls, crystals, and topaz.

Jacqueline Kennedy, 1961
jackie kennedy inaugural ball 1961
Jacqueline Kennedy.

Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Jacqueline Kennedy attended the inaugural balls wearing a sleeveless off-white silk chiffon gown with a matching cape that she helped design in collaboration with Ethel Frankau of Bergdorf Custom Salon.

Lady Bird Johnson, 1963
Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn in as president aboard Air Force One.
Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson consoled Jacqueline Kennedy after Johnson was sworn in as president.

Universal History Archive/Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

After President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, his vice president, Lyndon B. Johnson, took the oath of office in a haphazard ceremony aboard Air Force One. Lady Bird Johnson wore a simple dress with a pearl necklace.

Lady Bird Johnson, 1965
Lady Bird Johnson in her yellow inaugural gown in 1965.
Lady Bird Johnson.

White House Photo/LBJ Library

When Lyndon B. Johnson was reelected in 1965, Lady Bird Johnson wore a bright-yellow gown ordered from Neiman Marcus.

Pat Nixon, 1969
Pat Nixon's inaugural gown in 1969.
Pat Nixon.

Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Pat Nixon also wore a yellow inaugural ball gown. Hers was made of silk satin and featured Swarovski crystals.

Pat Nixon, 1973
Pat Nixon.
Pat Nixon.

Bettmann/Getty Images

Pat Nixon wore a turquoise gown designed by Adele Simpson for President Richard Nixon's second inauguration.

Betty Ford, 1974
Betty Ford and Gerald Ford on inauguration day.
Betty Ford and Gerald Ford.

Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

There were no formal inaugural festivities after Richard Nixon resigned and President Gerald Ford became president in 1974. Betty Ford wore a blue skirt suit for his swearing-in ceremony.

Rosalynn Carter, 1977
Rosalynn in a blue and gold embellished long sleeve gown and Jimmy in a black tuxedo.
Rosalynn Carter and Jimmy Carter.

Peter Bregg/AP Images

Rosalynn Carter's blue chiffon inaugural gown, designed by Mary Matise for Jimmae, was the same dress that she wore to Jimmy Carter's inauguration as governor of Georgia.

Nancy Reagan, 1981
Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan at the 1981 inauguration wearing formalwear
Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan.

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

Nancy Reagan wore a one-shouldered lace gown over silk satin to the 1981 inaugural balls. The dress and gloves were designed by James Galanos. Her beaded shoes were from David Evins.

Nancy Reagan, 1985
ronald reagan nancy inaugural gown 1985
Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan.

Courtesy Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

Nancy Reagan wore another James Galanos gown for her husband's second inauguration. The white chiffon gown was embroidered with glass beads that reportedly took more than 300 hours to apply by hand.

Barbara Bush, 1989
george barbara bush
George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush.

AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

Barbara Bush wore a royal-blue gown with a velvet bodice to the inaugural balls. The dress' designer, Arnold Scaasi, called her "the most glamorous grandmother in the United States," according to the Smithsonian.

Hillary Clinton, 1993
Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton at the 1993 inauguration.
Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton.

Jim Bourg/Reuters

Hillary Clinton wore a violet beaded lace sheath gown with a blue velvet silk overskirt to the 1993 inaugural balls. The dress was designed by Sarah Phillips and made by New York theatrical costume designer Barbara Matera Ltd.

Hillary Clinton, 1997
Hillary Clinton's 1997 inaugural gown.
Hillary Clinton.

Wally McNamee/Corbis via Getty Images

For Bill Clinton's second inauguration, Hillary Clinton wore an ivory gown with metallic embellishments by Oscar de la Renta.

Laura Bush, 2001
bush family 2001
George W. Bush and Laura Bush with their daughters Jenna Bush and Barbara Bush.

Brooks Kraft LLC/Sygma via Getty Images

Laura Bush attended inaugural balls in a red gown by Texas designer Michael Faircloth. The dress was made of Chantilly lace embroidered with crystals over silk georgette.

Laura Bush, 2005
Laura Bush and George W. Bush at the 2005 inauguration.
Laura Bush and George W. Bush.

Jason Reed/Reuters

Laura Bush chose a silver Oscar de la Renta gown for the 2005 inaugural balls.

Michelle Obama, 2009
michelle barack obama inauguration
Michelle Obama and Barack Obama.

Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Michelle Obama wore a custom white inaugural gown by Jason Wu. The dress was made of white silk chiffon and sparkled with organza flower embellishments containing Swarovski crystal centers.

Michelle Obama, 2013
Michelle Obama at the inauguration in 2013.
Michelle Obama.

Rick Wilking/Reuters

She wore Jason Wu again in 2013, this time choosing a red cross-halter strap gown.

Melania Trump, 2017
melania trump inauguration gown
Donald Trump and Melania Trump.

Kevin Dietsch - Pool/Getty Images

Melania Trump wore an off-the-shoulder white gown with a slit accompanied by a thin burgundy ribbon to the inaugural balls. The dress was designed by HervΓ© Pierre in collaboration with Melania Trump.

Jill Biden, 2021
Jill Biden Joe Biden Inauguration night
Joe Biden and Jill Biden.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

There were no inaugural balls in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Jill Biden did change into a white dress and matching cashmere coat by Gabriela Hearst for the small evening celebrations. The coat was embroidered with flowers representing every US state and territory.

Melania Trump, 2025
Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the 2025 inauguration.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump.

JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

At the 2025 inaugural balls, Melania Trump wore a strapless white gown with black trim by HervΓ© Pierre, who designed her first inaugural gown in 2017. A black choker and white heels completed the look.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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