New Delhi: Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States of America (USA). The US President-elect will take the Oath of Office on Monday, January 20. Inauguration Day takes place every four years on January 20. But why does the President take an oath on January 20 and not on any other date? Let us understand the importance of January 20.
From March 4 to January 20: The Evolution of Inauguration Day
Inauguration Day is held on January 20 every four years at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. If January 20 falls on a Sunday, the new President takes the oath in private that day, but the public ceremony happens the next day, January 21. But let us look at why January 20 was chosen as the Inauguration Day?
When the US government started, Congress set March 4, 1789, as the beginning of George Washington’s first term as President. However, due to delays related to logistics and weather, he was not inaugurated until April 30, 1789. Until recently, Presidents were sworn in on March 4. This delay between Election Day and Inauguration Day was necessary because counting votes and travelling took longer in the 18th and 19th centuries.
However, this delay sometimes caused problems. For example, outgoing Presidents stayed in office for months while the country waited for the new leader. This overlap resulted in what some people called a period with “two Presidents.” While preparing to take office, the incoming President had limited power, leading to tension between the two administrations.
The 20th Amendment: Reducing the Lame-Duck Period
The 20th Amendment to the Constitution states that the term for each elected President of the United States starts at noon on January 20, the year after the election. Before starting their duties, every president must take the oath of office.
By the early 20th century, improvements in technology made communication and travel easier. Votes could be counted faster, and new leaders could reach Washington, DC, quickly. As a result, the long transition period became less necessary.
The 20th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified in 1933 to address these changes. It moved Inauguration Day from March 4 to January 20, making January 3 the start date for new Congressional sessions. This change reduced the “lame-duck” period, during which outgoing officials remained in office but could not fully implement policies.
Electoral College & the Transition Period: Why the Delay?
Unlike many democracies where power changes hands right after elections, the US has a longer process. There is an 11-week gap between the election and the inauguration. This time allows the incoming President and their team to prepare for a smooth transition. They can organise, select a cabinet, develop policies, and tackle important national issues before officially taking office.
The nearly three-month gap before the president is inaugurated is mainly due to the Electoral College system. In this system, the president is not immediately chosen by popular vote. Instead, there is a separate process to confirm the president. The time between the election and inauguration allows the Electoral College to finish its work, ensuring the president-elect is ready to take office.
The US Presidential Inauguration on January 20 wasn’t always the case. Initially scheduled for March 4, the 20th Amendment (1933) changed the date, shortening the “lame-duck” period between elections and office start. The 11-week gap between election and inauguration allows for transition planning, cabinet selection and policy development. This delay is also linked to the Electoral College process. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
