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Home » History Content » History Quiz

Presidential Moments: Inauguration

Jan 12 2009
Instructions

Same old, same old—another president, another inaugural speech, right? Maybe not. President Barack Obama's swearing in using the Bible Abraham Lincoln was sworn in on isn't the first trivia-worthy inauguration quirk. Match the president to the fact that made his inauguration unique.


  1. Which U.S. president did not use a Bible at his inauguration?
    A.

    Thomas Jefferson

    B.

    Andrew Jackson

    C.

    Franklin Pierce

    D.

    Richard Nixon


  2. Which mishap occurred at the inauguration of George Washington?
    A.

    Nobody thought to bring a Bible to take the oath of office.

    B.

    A late frost killed off the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C.

    C.

    An influenza epidemic prevented large crowds from gathering and spreading germs in the fledgling new Republic.

    D.

    Communications about the inauguration did not reach Vice President John Adams in time for him to join in the celebration.


  3. Which long-winded president delivered the longest inaugural address?
    A.

    Abraham Lincoln

    B.

    Ronald Reagan

    C.

    William Henry Harrison

    D.

    George W. Bush


  4. Which president gave the shortest address?
    A.

    George Washington

    B.

    Franklin Pierce

    C.

    Herbert Hoover

    D.

    Woodrow Wilson


  5. Why did Zachary Taylor postpone his inauguration?
    A.

    The date in question, 4 March 1849, fell on a Sunday.

    B.

    He was afflicted with chicken pox.

    C.

    Sectional rivalry prevented such a gathering until congressional compromise could be crafted.

    D.

    Threats against the president-elect caused concern.


  6. Which president was inaugurated in secret?
    A.

    Rutherford B. Hayes

    B.

    Ulysses S. Grant

    C.

    Abraham Lincoln

    D.

    Gerald Ford


  7. Whose inaugural address was the first to be broadcast on television?
    A.

    John F. Kennedy

    B.

    Richard Nixon

    C.

    Harry S. Truman

    D.

    Lyndon B. Johnson


  8. Who was the first president to take the oath of office in Washington, D.C.?
    A.

    George Washington

    B.

    John Adams

    C.

    Thomas Jefferson

    D.

    James Madison


  9. How many presidents did NOT take the oath of office in Washington, D.C.?
    A.

    1

    B.

    10

    C.

    6

    D.

    4


  10. Who was the first president to be inaugurated on 20 January instead of 4 March?
    A.

    Calvin Coolidge

    B.

    Warren G. Harding

    C.

    Franklin D. Roosevelt

    D.

    Dwight D. Eisenhower