Let’s be real for a second. Politics can be a total snooze-fest for kids. Big words, long speeches, and a bunch of people in suits standing around for hours? It's a tough sell. But honestly, watching an inauguration day video for kids is actually one of the coolest ways to see how the United States "reboots" every four years. It’s basically the ultimate moving day, but with more parade floats and a very important promise.
The Big Promise: What an Inauguration Day Video for Kids Actually Shows
Every four years on January 20th (unless it’s a Sunday), the country holds a giant ceremony called an inauguration. If you’ve ever watched an inauguration day video for kids, you’ve seen the main event: the Oath of Office. This isn’t just some random speech. It is a 35-word promise written directly into the U.S. Constitution.
The president-elect stands at the U.S. Capitol, usually puts their hand on a Bible—though they don’t have to use one—and says they will "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Fun fact: Theodore Roosevelt didn't use a Bible in 1901. John Quincy Adams used a book of laws.
The whole point of this ceremony is something called the "peaceful transfer of power." It sounds fancy, but it basically means that even if the person leaving the job and the person starting it don’t agree on things, they pass the "keys" to the White House over without a fight. It’s one of the things that makes American democracy pretty special.
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Why the Date Keeps Changing (Sorta)
You might wonder why we wait until January. Back in the day, George Washington didn't get sworn in until April 30, 1789. It took forever for people to travel by horse and carriage to count the votes! Later, the date was moved to March 4th. Finally, in 1937, the 20th Amendment changed it to January 20th at exactly 12:00 noon.
If you watch an inauguration day video for kids from the 1930s, you’ll notice the transition. Before that, the country had a "lame duck" period that lasted four months. Now, we get things moving much faster.
The Fun Stuff: Parades, Food, and Lassos
It’s not all boring speeches. After the new president takes the oath, there’s a massive parade.
Imagine this: every single state and territory sends people to march down Pennsylvania Avenue. There are high school marching bands, police dogs, and sometimes even cowboys. Seriously. In 1953, a cowboy named Montie Montana actually lassoed President Dwight D. Eisenhower during the parade! You won't find that in every inauguration day video for kids, but it's a legendary moment.
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The Lunch Menu
After the swearing-in, the new president goes inside the Capitol for a fancy lunch. They usually eat food that represents where they are from.
- John F. Kennedy (1961): Lobster and deviled crab (he was from Massachusetts).
- Ronald Reagan (1981): California garden salad.
- Barack Obama (2009): Seafood stew and pheasant.
Surprising Records and "Oops" Moments
Even the most organized events have hiccups. An inauguration day video for kids might show the polished version, but history has some wild stories.
- The Longest Speech: William Henry Harrison gave a speech that lasted nearly two hours in 1841. It was 8,445 words long! Sadly, it was freezing outside, he got sick, and he died only a month later. Talk about a bad first month on the job.
- The Shortest Speech: George Washington’s second inaugural address was only 135 words. That’s shorter than most TikTok captions.
- The Double Oath: In 2009, Chief Justice John Roberts accidentally mixed up a few words while swearing in Barack Obama. Just to be safe, they did the whole thing again the next day at the White House to make sure it was "official."
How to Watch an Inauguration Day Video for Kids Like a Pro
If you’re watching a video for a school project or just because you’re curious, look for these specific things. They are like Easter eggs for history buffs.
First, look for the "outgoing" president. Usually, they sit right there on the stage. It’s a big deal to see the person who just lost an election or finished their term sitting calmly while the new person takes over.
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Second, check out the "First Lady" or "First Gentleman." Since 1965, it has been a tradition for the spouse to hold the Bible during the oath. Lady Bird Johnson was the first to do this.
Third, listen for the 21-gun salute. Right after the oath is finished, you’ll hear loud cannons firing. That’s the military's way of saying, "Hey world, we have a new Commander in Chief."
Expert Resources for Learning More
If you want to find the best inauguration day video for kids, check out these spots:
- PBS LearningMedia: They have "Social Studies Shorts" that break things down in 3-minute clips.
- National Geographic Kids: Great for those "weird but true" facts about past presidents.
- The White House Historical Association: They have digital tours of the White House so you can see where the president moves in on their first night.
Actionable Next Steps for Young Citizens
You don't have to wait until you're 35 to get involved in how the country works. After watching an inauguration day video for kids, here is how you can take action:
- Write a Letter: Use a template from sites like PBS Kids to write a letter to the new president. Tell them what you think is important, whether it’s better playgrounds or cleaner oceans.
- Design a Float: Grab a shoebox and some craft supplies. If you were in the inaugural parade, what would your float look like?
- Host a Mock Inauguration: Practice the 35-word oath with your friends or classmates. It’s harder than it looks to get all those "faithfully executes" in the right order.
- Check the Facts: Find a video of an old inauguration from the 1940s (the first televised one was Harry Truman in 1949) and compare it to a modern one. What changed? What stayed the same?
Watching these ceremonies helps us remember that the government isn't just a building in D.C.—it’s a group of people making promises to the rest of us.