Presidential Trappings: Presidential Inaugurations

Please join us for this live webinar on Tuesday, January 12th at 7:00 PM EST.

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“We observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom”

John F. Kennedy, January 20, 1961

We have experienced 53 formal Presidential inaugurations since 1789 and another nine subdued ceremonies in which vice presidents took the place of presidents due to death or resignation.

Some have been moments of drama, many were forgotten in a matter of days or weeks, and a few stand out as pivotal moments in American history. In this lecture, Ronald Schurin, PhD, Associate Professor in Residence in the Department of Political Science at the University of Connecticut, will examine the four categories that our 62 inaugurations fit into– ritual of orderly transition, moment of reassurance, sign of dramatic change—or something else? Attendees will also learn about special topics such as security issues in wartime, presidential health and stamina, and the tradition of outgoing and incoming presidents riding together.

RONALD SCHURIN is Associate Professor in Residence in the Department of Political Science at the University of Connecticut, where he teaches courses on American political parties, Connecticut politics, education policy, and politics and literature.  A native of New York, he holds a Master in Public Affairs degree from Princeton University and a Ph.D in Political Science from The City University of New York, where his dissertation focused on Franklin Roosevelt’s efforts to transform the American party system.  Prior to coming to UConn, Ron served in the Department of Health, Education and Welfare during the Carter administration and at CUNY.