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World Quiz: Presidential Inaugurations: 10 Questions | Presidential Trivia

On January 20, 2009 the inauguration ceremony for Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States. This quiz is designed to help you understand some of the tradition associated with this historic event. Good luck!

A multiple-choice quiz by skipp1. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
skipp1

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
302,126

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
465

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The U.S. Constitution requires that the incoming President must be sworn in while placing a hand on what instrument? Hint

A sworn affidavit

The Bible

It is not required

The U.S. Constitution

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Question 2 of 10

2. Until 1933 the Constitution required that all Presidential inaugurations had to be held on what day and month? Hint

The Consitution does not specify a date

It has always been on January 20

March 4

By tradition when George Washington was first sworn in on April 30

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Question 3 of 10

3. "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" was stated by which incoming President and in what year? Hint

Ronald Reagan in 1981

Abraham Lincoln in 1864

Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933

John F. Kennedy in 1961

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Question 4 of 10

4. What occurred during Lincoln's 2nd inaugural in 1865, for the first time? Hint

The President walked to the White House from the Capitol

African-American soldiers participated in the inaugural parade

An inaugural address was delivered

Union and Confederate soldiers marched down Pennsylvania Avenue

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which President's inauguration was the first to be broadcast live on television? Hint

Harry S Truman

Franklin Roosevelt

Calvin Coolidge

Dwight Eisenhower

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Question 6 of 10

6. President William Henry Harrison was the first President to arrive by what means of transportation to Washington for the inaugural? Hint

train

boat

carriage

plane

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Question 7 of 10

7. Who was the first Presidential wife to participate in the swearing in ceremony? Hint

Mamie Eisenhower in 1953

Mary Todd Lincoln in 1861

Lady Bird Johnson in 1965

Martha Custis Washington in 1789

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Question 8 of 10

8. What terrible tragedy did President Franklin Pierce and his family endure on route to participate in his inauguration? Hint

His father died of a heart attack

His wife was attacked and her servant was killed

His son was killed in a train accident

A fire burned his home in Vermont down

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which President's election was not positively determined until just days before his inauguration? Hint

John F. Kennedy

George Washington

Rutherford B. Hayes

George W. Bush

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Question 10 of 10

10. Presidential inaugurations have always only taken place in Washington D.C.

True

False

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The U.S. Constitution requires that the incoming President must be sworn in while placing a hand on what instrument?

Answer: It is not required

Placing the hand on the Bible is a tradition started by George Washington, not a law. Several presidents initially forgot to place their hand on the Bible, and did so half way through the ceremony.

2. Until 1933 the Constitution required that all Presidential inaugurations had to be held on what day and month?

Answer: March 4

The 12th Amendment specified that March 4 would be the date. April 30 was considered. The date was reset by the 20th Amendment (ratified in January 1933) to January 20 in part because it was deemed that the interregnum was simply too long. The 2nd inauguration of FDR in1937 was the first held on January 20.

3. "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" was stated by which incoming President and in what year?

Answer: Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933

FDR's famous words employed to help the American people regain some confidence during the worst days of the Great Depression.

4. What occurred during Lincoln's 2nd inaugural in 1865, for the first time?

Answer: African-American soldiers participated in the inaugural parade

By 1863 thousands of African-American troops were engaged in the Civil War. Probably the Massachusetts 54th Regiment is best known due to the movie "Glory" (1989), Matthew Broderick, Cary Elwes, Morgan Freeman and
Denzel Washington.

5. Which President's inauguration was the first to be broadcast live on television?

Answer: Harry S Truman

Coolidge's inauguration in 1925 was the first to be broadcast on radio. Hoover's in 1929 was recorded for "talking pictures." Kennedy's in 1961 was the first to be broadcast live on color TV. Truman's in 1949 was the first to be broadcast live on television.

6. President William Henry Harrison was the first President to arrive by what means of transportation to Washington for the inaugural?

Answer: train

He died just one month after taking office in 1841 (the shortest term for a US president) because of the pneumonia he likely developed after delivering the longest inaugural address in U.S. history (one hour and forty five minutes).

7. Who was the first Presidential wife to participate in the swearing in ceremony?

Answer: Lady Bird Johnson in 1965

Mrs. Johnson held an old family bible that had been given to the President by his mother

8. What terrible tragedy did President Franklin Pierce and his family endure on route to participate in his inauguration?

Answer: His son was killed in a train accident

The death of Pierce's son cast a dark pall over the White House for the duration of his term from 1853 to 1857.

9. Which President's election was not positively determined until just days before his inauguration?

Answer: Rutherford B. Hayes

The 1876 Hayes-Tilden election was the closest electoral vote margin in U.S. history, Hayes winning by only 185-184, and actually losing the popular vote.

10. Presidential inaugurations have always only taken place in Washington D.C.

Answer: False

George Washington's two inaugurations were held in New York, and Adam's single inauguration was in Philadelphia. Since the inauguration of Jefferson in 1801 they have always taken place in Washington, D.C.

Source: Author skipp1

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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