On Monday, January 20, 2025 Donald J Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. The United States’ Inauguration Day has occurred every four years since 1789 when George Washington recited the same oath that President-Elect Trump will state: “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.” Inauguration Day occurs every four years on January 20 (or January 21 if January 20 falls on a Sunday). The inauguration ceremony takes place at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, DC.
Photograph taken during the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) an American politician and actor who served as the 40th President of the United States of America. Credit: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group 
US Capitol building, Washington DC. Credit: Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group 
U.S. President Jimmy Carter with wife Rosalynn and Chief Justice Warren E. Burger, taking oath of office of President of the United States, from East Portico of U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., USA, Bernard Gotfryd, January 20, 1977. Credit: Circa Images/GHI/Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group 
Inauguration of President of United States, President William Jefferson Clinton, 42nd President,52nd Presidency Washington, D.C., 1/20/93. Credit: Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group 
Bill Clinton, 42nd President, gives Inaugural Address on Inauguration Day 1993, Washington, DC. Credit: Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group 
Camera stands and crowd on Bill Clinton’s Inauguration Day January 20, 1993 in Washington, DC. Credit: Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group 
Photograph taken during George H. W. Bush’s inauguration. George Herbert Walker Bush (1924-2018) former President of the United States of America. Credit: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group 
March 27, 2018, Washington D.C., U.S. Capitol Building & Reflecting Pool, Sunrise, Washington, D.C., USA Credit: Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group
Washington’s first inauguration was on April 30, 1789. Beginning with Washington’s second inauguration in 1793 and continuing until Franklin Roosevelt’s inauguration in 1933, Inauguration Day was held every four years on March 4, which is the anniversary of the date the Constitution took effect in 1789. This extended period of approximately five months following the presidential election in November was primarily due to historical transportation and communication limits, as well as allowing the president-elect time to get their affairs in order at home. The long period between the election and the new administration assuming office posed problems for the United States, especially during times of crisis, such as the Civil War.
George Washington delivering his inaugural address in the old city hall, New York. Credit: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group 
After a painting by J.L.G. Ferris, George Washington, first President of the United States of America (1789-1797) arriving at Congress Hall , Philadelphia, 4 March 1793. Credit: Photo 12 /Universal Images Group 
January 20, 1945, Washington, DC – Franklin Delano Roosevelt shown just after taking his 4th Oath of Office. The ceremony only lasted 15 minutes. Vice-President Harry Truman is on the left and Roosevelt’s son James stands next to his father, Washington, DC. Credit: GG Vintage Images/Universal Images Group 
Haverley’s Minstrels as they appeared by special invitation at the inauguration of President Garfield. The band ascending the steps of the Capitol building, Washington. Credit: Photo 12 /Universal Images Group 
President Richard Nixon sworn in as President of the United States of America, 1969. Credit: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group 
Panoramic postcard showing soldiers and crowds at the east portico of the U.S. Capitol for the inauguration of President Theodore Roosevelt, March 4, 1905. Credit: Photo 12 /Universal Images Group 
Abraham Lincoln delivering his second inaugural address as President of the United States, Washington, D.C. 1865. Credit: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group
As transportation and communication services improved in the 20th century, Congress acted to move the inauguration closer in time to the election. The 20th Amendment to the Constitution was proposed by Congress in 1932 and ratified by the states on January 23, 1933. The amendment establishes the beginning of a president and vice-president’s term as midday on January 20.
Inauguration Day takes place in Washington DC and the president takes the Oath of Office at the U.S. Capitol. Thomas Jefferson was the first president to have his inauguration in Washington DC, on March 4, 1801.
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Sources:
https://www.usa.gov/inauguration
https://visit.archives.gov/whats-on/explore-exhibits/20th-amendment-new-inauguration-day
https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Inauguration-Day/628622
https://clintonwhitehouse5.archives.gov/WH/Family/html/inauguration_history.html