[USNA74]

You’re wrong. President Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration was done in a private White House ceremony that was broadcast on TV (with one pool camera). The public ceremony was to be on Monday, Jan 21st, but it was cancelled due to the extreme cold and snow — fearing severe health problems if folks were to gather and wait 3 hours or more for the event. And I remember it — I went to the Capital to practice for the event late Sunday afternoon and just standing out on the platform for 20 minutes I almost lost feeling in my finger tips (in military gloves). They made the right decision to cancel it.

[faithhopecharity]

I see. Well, they at least planned it and set it up as a witnessed event in public or with some people there to see it. And they broadcast it to the world at any event (bad weather conditions notwithstanding), so millions of Americans still saw him taking the oath. That’s still a far cry from planning to do it in secret. Thanks for the info.

[thecodont]

January ‘85 in DC was cold in the Arctic sense. Snow blowing sideways like powdered sugar. Eleven degrees Fahrenheit. No one ventured outside — too dangerous.

[boatbums]

Thank you for your expertise on this topic. What is really a shame is how much trust this president has squandered by doing all the things he has and plans to do. Now, no matter what the event or incident, he is suspect and every negative thing that can be imagined about him is. I am STILL flabbergasted that he got reelected but there are a lot of people out there who depend on the government for so much that they were scared to NOT vote for him - just where they want them.

I would really like to see a semblance of patriotism from him and, after his $4 million, three week vacation in Hawaii, he decides to forego all the inaugural balls and parties in the interest of saving money during these tough times. Fat chance - I know!