Changes

March 4th was Inauguration Day for new presidents of the United States, until  1937 when it was moved to January 20th.

March 4th was Inauguration Day for new presidents of the United States, until  1937 when it was moved to January 20th.

Virtually every president acknowledged the important of [[faith]] at his inauguration.

Virtually every president acknowledged the importance of [[faith]] at his inauguration.

For example, John Adams said in 1797:  

For example, John Adams said in 1797:  

:Veneration for the religion of a people who profess and call themselves Christians ... to consider a decent respect for Christianity among the best recommendations for the public service.

    Veneration for the religion of a people who profess and call themselves  

    Christians ... to consider a decent respect for Christianity among the best  

    recommendations for the public service.

In 1809, James Madison invoked:  

In 1809, James Madison invoked:  

:Guidance of that Almighty Being.

    Guidance of that Almighty Being.

In 1825, John Quincy Adams declared:  

In 1825, John Quincy Adams declared:  

:Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh in vain.

    Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh in vain.

William Harrison said at his inauguration, at which he caught pneumonia and soon died, in 1841:  

William Harrison said at his inauguration, at which he caught pneumonia and soon died, in 1841:  

:I deem the present occasion sufficiently important ... in expressing to my fellow citizens a profound reverence for the Christian religion.

    I deem the present occasion sufficiently important ... in expressing to my  

    fellow citizens a profound reverence for the Christian religion.

In 1853, it was Franklin Pierce's turn:  

In 1853, it was Franklin Pierce's turn:  

:There is no national security but in the nation's humble, acknowledged dependence upon God.

    There is no national security but in the nation's humble, acknowledged  

    dependence upon God.

Then in 1857, President James Buchanan pleaded:  

Then in 1857, President James Buchanan pleaded:  

:Cultivate peace ... with all nations ... in a spirit of Christian benevolence.  

    Cultivate peace ... with all nations ... in a spirit of Christian benevolence.  

Next, in 1861, it was Abraham Lincoln's turn:  

Next, in 1861, it was Abraham Lincoln's turn:  

:Intelligence, patriotism, Christianity, and a firm reliance on Him who has never yet forsaken this favored land, are still competent to adjust in the best way all our present difficulty.

    Intelligence, patriotism, Christianity, and a firm reliance on Him who has never yet  

    forsaken this favored land, are still competent to adjust in the best way all our  

    present difficulty.

In the next century, in 1925, President Calvin Coolidge declared:

In the next century, in 1925, President Calvin Coolidge declared:

:America ... cherishes no purpose save to merit the favor of Almighty God.

    America ... cherishes no purpose save to merit the favor of Almighty God.