US Presidents Flashcards
What is Inauguration Day?
The day the president of the United States takes the oath of office and begins a new presidential term.
What does the oath of office include?
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
On what date did Inauguration Day originally occur?
March 4th.
What was the reason for the March 4th Inauguration Day?
To allow ample time between the electoral college voting and for the incoming president to assemble a cabinet and get to Washington.
When did the first presidential inauguration take place?
April 30, 1789.
Where was the first presidential inauguration held?
New York City, on the balcony of Federal Hall.
What tradition did George Washington start during his inauguration?
Putting his hand on a bible when taking the oath of office.
Which passage was read from the bible used by Washington during his inauguration?
Genesis 47.
Which presidents used the same bible as Washington during their inaugurations?
- Warren Harding
- Dwight Eisenhower
- Jimmy Carter
- George H. W. Bush
Is there a legal requirement for the use of a bible during the oath of office?
No, it is just tradition.
Who was the only president to use the word ‘affirm’ instead of ‘swear’ in the presidential oath?
Franklin Pierce.
What phrase did George Washington ad-lib at the end of the oath?
…so help me God.
True or False: All presidents have retaken the oath when they flubbed it.
False.
Who was the first president to have the oath administered by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
John Adams.
What was the significance of the 20th amendment regarding Inauguration Day?
It changed the inauguration date to January 20th.
Who was the first president inaugurated on January 20th?
Franklin Roosevelt during his second inauguration in 1937.
What was the warmest temperature recorded during an inauguration?
55°F or 13°C during Ronald Reagan’s first inauguration.
What was the coldest temperature during an inauguration?
7°F or -14°C during Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration.
What was the first televised inauguration?
Harry Truman in 1949.
What tradition began in 1965 during inaugurations?
The First Lady holding the bible.
How many presidential inaugurations have occurred over the past 232 years?
59 presidential inaugurations.
Fill in the blank: The first automobile travel to the capitol for an inauguration occurred in _______.
1921.
What was the Corrupt Bargain of 1825?
Supposedly resolved the election of 1824 by making John Quincy Adams president after a contested vote
Jackson won a plurality but not a majority, leading to a House decision.
Who were the main candidates in the election of 1824?
- John Quincy Adams
- Andrew Jackson
- Henry Clay
- William Crawford
What was the Petticoat Affair?
A scandal that disrupted Andrew Jackson’s cabinet due to social snubbing of Peggy Eaton by other cabinet wives
Led to a rift and eventual cabinet resignations.
Who was the only cabinet member to support Peggy Eaton?
Martin Van Buren
What was significant about the impeachment of Andrew Johnson in 1868?
It was the first time a president was impeached
Johnson was impeached for violating the Tenure of Office Act.
What triggered the impeachment of Andrew Johnson?
His attempt to remove Secretary of War Edwin Stanton
What was the Whiskey Ring scandal?
A conspiracy involving whiskey distillers bribing U.S. Treasury officials to evade taxes
Coordinated by General John McDonald and involved Grant’s private secretary.
Which president was tarnished by the Whiskey Ring scandal?
Ulysses Grant
What was the Pinchot–Ballinger Affair?
A scandal that split the Republican Party over conservation issues during Taft’s presidency
Involved accusations of corruption against Secretary of the Interior Richard Ballinger.
What was the outcome of the Pinchot–Ballinger Affair?
Led to Roosevelt breaking from Taft and running with the Progressive Party in 1912
What was the Teapot Dome scandal?
A major controversy involving Secretary of the Interior Albert Fall leasing Navy oil reserves at low rates
Fall became the first cabinet member to go to prison.
What was the Watergate scandal?
A scandal that forced Richard Nixon to resign after a break-in at the Democratic headquarters
Investigated by reporters Woodward and Bernstein.
What did the Watergate scandal lead to in terms of public perception?
A lasting drop in public trust in government
What was the Iran–Contra scandal?
A scandal involving secret arms sales to Iran to fund the Contras in Nicaragua
Circumvented Congress’s prohibition on sending aid.
Who oversaw the Iran–Contra operations?
Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North
What scandal led to the impeachment of Bill Clinton?
The Monica Lewinsky scandal
Clinton was accused of perjury after denying an affair.
What was the Plame Affair?
A scandal involving the exposure of CIA officer Valerie Plame’s identity
Linked to her husband Joseph Wilson’s op-ed disputing claims about Iraq.
Who was sent to prison for lying to investigators in the Plame Affair?
Scooter Libby
