As the countdown to Inauguration Day 2024 begins, attention turns to the key events and traditions that will mark the swearing-in of the nation’s new leader. With the election drawing global interest, the inauguration will symbolize a pivotal moment in American democracy. The ceremony and its longstanding traditions highlight the peaceful transfer of power and the start of a new administration.
Here’s a closer look at what will happen on Inauguration Day 2024 and why it holds such significance in the democratic process.
When will the new US president be sworn in?
On January 20, 2025, officials will swear in the next US president following the results of the 2024 presidential election.
The 20th Amendment mandates this date, ensuring that a new presidential term begins every four years on January 20. Inauguration Day marks a pivotal moment in US democracy, formalizing the transfer of executive power. If January 20 falls on a Sunday, they typically move the public ceremony to January 21, while the president-elect takes the oath privately on the 20th.
The inauguration takes place at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., and marks the official beginning of the new president’s term.
What happens on Inauguration Day?
On Inauguration Day 2024, the president-elect takes the oath of office, officially becoming the US president. During this significant moment, the president recites the constitutional oath, committing to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
Before the president, the vice president-elect also takes their oath in a similar ceremony. Afterward, the new president delivers the inaugural address, outlining their vision and goals for the next four years. The day’s events continue with the pass-in-review, where military representatives salute the new commander-in-chief, followed by a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue.
The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) plans and organizes the entire day, including the swearing-in and inaugural address. Millions watch the events live from the U.S. Capitol, marking the peaceful transfer of power as a core tradition of American democracy.
Government officials, diplomats, and the public participate in the event. Members of Congress distribute a limited number of tickets, giving citizens the chance to witness this historic occasion in person.
