First inauguration of Ronald Reagan

First presidential inauguration of Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan takes the oath of office to be sworn in as the 40th president of the United States.
Date	January 20, 1981; 43 years ago (1981-01-20)
Location	United States Capitol, Washington, D.C.
Organized by	Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies
Participants	Ronald Reagan 40th president of the United States — Assuming office Warren E. Burger Chief Justice of the United States — Administering oath George H. W. Bush 43rd vice president of the United States — Assuming office Potter Stewart Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States — Administering oath
← 1977 1985 →

The first inauguration of Ronald Reagan as the 40th president of the United States was held on Tuesday, January 20, 1981, at the West Front of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. This was the first inauguration to be held on the building's west side. This was the 49th inauguration and marked the commencement of Ronald Reagan's and George H. W. Bush's first term as president and vice president, respectively. Chief Justice Warren E. Burger administered the presidential oath of office to Reagan, who placed his hand upon a family Bible given to him by his mother, open to 2 Chronicles 7:14.^[1] Associate Justice Potter Stewart administered the vice presidential oath to Bush.^[2]

At 69 years, 349 days of age on Inauguration Day, Reagan was the oldest person to assume the presidency until the record was surpassed by Donald Trump in 2017. While the inauguration was taking place, the 52 Americans being held hostage in Iran were released.^[3]