Kick-off the countdown to this year’s 59th Inauguration with JCCIC Chairman Roy Blunt.
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"It was April 30, 1789 at Federal Hall in New York City when George Washington took the oath of office to become the nation’s first President.
Since that time, our nation has carried out the tradition of an inaugural ceremony to mark the commencement of a new four-year term for the president of the United States, or to transition into a new administration. This great American tradition has occurred in times of peace, in times of turmoil, in times of prosperity and in times of adversity.
On January 20, 2021, the country and the world will witness the 59th Inaugural Ceremonies at the United States Capitol. The theme of this year’s Inaugural Ceremonies is “Our Determined Democracy: Forging a More Perfect Union.”
The inaugural events are not only a hallmark of American governance and democracy-but also fulfill our Constitutional duty and give assurance-for all people-of our continued and unbroken commitment to continuity, stability, perseverance and democracy.
The Constitution of the United States serves as a blueprint for our nation’s collective determination to form a more perfect Union.
Our Founders had the wisdom and foresight to know that this young nation would face great challenges in the years ahead. They understood that our country was not perfect and the Constitution established the realistic goal for a determined democracy to make it better. To form not a perfect union, but a more perfect union.
Our unfinished story is comprised of imperfect people and even more imperfect chapters but let’s not forget-we are also a nation of heroes and trailblazers.
We are a nation that believes we are all created equal-a nation that continues to strive for the rights of all people, as we look to the champions of our past. Those like Frederick Douglass who devoted his life to the cause of human rights. Trailblazers like Amelia Earhart, Kitty O’Brien Joyner, and Katherine Johnson. We are a nation of pioneers, like the intrepid explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark who launched their expedition West from my home state of Missouri. We are a nation determined-determined to always do better.
And it is our best traditions and best examples of courage and determination that are essential in our pursuit of a more perfect union and a brighter future for all Americans."
- JCCIC Chairman Roy Blunt
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Since 1901, and in accordance with the 20th Amendment of the United States Constitution, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) has been responsible for the planning and execution of the Inaugural Ceremonies of the President-elect and Vice President-elect of the United States at the Capitol.