Mass Media Inauguration Firsts
Initially, the inaugurations of U.S. presidents were a relatively private affair usually witnessed by members of Congress and the immediate family. Now, however, the inauguration of the President of the United States is a major, worldwide media and political event. Besides swearing-in U.S. presidents, inaugurations have represented many firsts in mass communications.
So, thanks to Wikipedia, here’s the list of 11 “firsts” which you may find interesting. It is much more than trivia; it is an interesting history that follows the development of the communication technology we enjoy today.
1801 – After the most contested election in history that required 37 votes in the House of Representatives before Jefferson was confirmed as president, The National Intelligencer, a D.C.-based newspaper that went out of business in 1870, ran the first “extra,” i.e., special edition on Jefferson’s election. For a refresher on what happened, read America’s Most Contested Election https://marcliebman.com/americas-most-contentious-election/ posted way back on November 6th, 2022.
1845 – The news of the swearing-in of James K. Polk was the first to be sent around the world by telegraph. Polk’s swearing-in on March 4th, 1845, was captured in the first known illustration of an inauguration printed in a publication. The image, which accompanies this post, appeared in the April 19th edition of The Illustrated London News, which published its first edition in 1842 and ceased publication in 2003.
1857 – The inauguration of James Buchanan was the first to have been photographed.
1897 – McKinley’s swearing-in was the first to be filmed, i.e., as a motion picture.
1905 – At Teddy Roosevelt’s second inauguration, telephones were installed so reporters could more rapidly report the news.
1925 – Calvin Coolidge’s second swearing-in was the first to be broadcast nationwide by radio.
1929 – Herbert Hoover’s was the first presidential inauguration recorded as a talking newsreel.
1949 – Harry Truman’s second inauguration was the first to be televised.
1961 – JFK’s was the first to be televised in living color.
1981 – Closed captioning of the TV broadcast was added to Ronald Reagan’s first inauguration.
1997 – Bill Clinton’s second swearing-in was the first in history to be broadcast live and in living color on the Internet.
Just thought y’all might want to know.
Engraving that appeared in the April 19th, 1845, edition of The Illustrated London News.