History of Inaugural Prayers
Steven Waldman of Beliefnet.com has provided a fine overview of the history of inaugural prayers. The surprises are that according to his research they only started in 1937 at F.D.R.'s second inaugural and that the clergy asked to give the prayers have become less denominationally diverse over time.
F.D.R. also gave us the tradition of presidents attending a church service on the morning of their inauguration (Nixon is the only one of his successors not to follow this practice).
In addition to his article he also has compiled an helpful archive of inaugural prayers.
UPDATE: Mark Silk explains why F.D.R. began the tradition in 1937.
F.D.R. also gave us the tradition of presidents attending a church service on the morning of their inauguration (Nixon is the only one of his successors not to follow this practice).
In addition to his article he also has compiled an helpful archive of inaugural prayers.
UPDATE: Mark Silk explains why F.D.R. began the tradition in 1937.
posted by David Bains at
11:43 AM
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