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Inauguration Day in History
How Past Presidents United The Nation
In Hope, Healing, and Liberty
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"Let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds ... to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and among all nations."
—Abraham Lincoln
Inaugural Address, 1865
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Today, January 20th, 2021, we will witness the nation's 59th Presidential Inaugural Ceremonies.
Especially this year, we look toward national unity. As we know from our history, as well as the violence and unrest over the past year, the vision set forth by our nation's founders is not yet fully realized, yet it is a vision that binds us together as a nation.
That vision in our Declaration gave us a self-ruling government where "all men are created equal" and have unalienable rights to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Our task is to keep this vision moving forward.
These are difficult times. But we can take solace knowing our country has persevered through epidemics, war, economic collapse, and significant loss of life in these 244 years.
Today is an opportunity to remind ourselves not to let what divides us undermine what unites us as Americans. Look below to view some inaugural messages of our former presidents to bring a divided people together.
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Historical Inaugural Addresses
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"And since the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the republican model of government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people."
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"Let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds ... to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and among all nations."
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"This great nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself ..."
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"May the turbulence of our age yield to a true time of peace, when men and nations shall share a life that honors the dignity of each, the brotherhood of all."
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"My fellow citizens, our nation is poised for greatness. We must do what we know is right and do it with all our might. Let history say of us, 'These were golden years—when the American Revolution was reborn, when freedom gained new life, when America reached for her best.'"
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The battle for the soul of our nation will be won or lost in our classrooms. —Jack Miller
Those principles in our Declaration that bind us together as a nation must be passed on to each generation if our country is to survive. Education is key.
A great amount of work is needed to transform civics education throughout our educational systems, and JMC is charging ahead. We are committed to every available means to reinvigorate the teaching of America's founding principles and history—from K12 through college and beyond.
We cannot win this battle without your support. Will you join us in the effort?
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About the Jack Miller Center
The Jack Miller Center is a 501(c)(3) public charity with the mission to reinvigorate education in America's founding principles and history. We work to advance the teaching and study of America's history, its political and economic institutions, and the central principles, ideas and issues arising from the American and Western traditions—all of which continue to animate our national life.
We support professors and educators through programs, resources, fellowships and more to help them teach our nation's students.
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