The first inauguration of Bill Clinton made him the 42nd President of the United States.
The inauguration of the President of the United States is a ceremony to mark the commencement of a new four-year term of the President of the United States .. President of the United States. President of the United States. This ceremony takes place for each new presidential term , even if the president is continuing in office for a second term .. Since 1937 , it has taken place on January 20 , which is to days after the November presidential election -LRB- on the first Tuesday after November 1 -RRB- .. presidential election. United States presidential election. The term of a president commences at noon -LRB- ET -RRB- on that day , when the Chief Justice administers the oath to the president .. However , when January 20 falls on a Sunday , the Chief Justice administers the oath to the president on that day privately and then again in a public ceremony the next day , on Monday , January 21 .. The most recent presidential inauguration ceremony was the swearing in of Donald Trump to a four-year term of office on Friday , January 20 , 2017 .. Donald Trump. Donald Trump. The only inauguration element mandated by the United States Constitution is that the president make an oath or affirmation before that person can `` enter on the Execution '' of the office of the presidency .. United States Constitution. United States Constitution. oath or affirmation. Oath of office of the President of the United States. However , over the years , various traditions have arisen that have expanded the inauguration from a simple oath-taking ceremony to a day-long event , including parades and multiple social gatherings .. Since the 1981 inauguration of Ronald Reagan , the ceremony has been held at the west front of the United States Capitol .. Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan. United States Capitol. United States Capitol. Other swearing-in ceremonies have taken place at the Capitol 's east portico , inside the Old Senate Chamber , the House chamber , and the Rotunda .. Old Senate Chamber. Old Senate Chamber. Rotunda. United States Capitol rotunda. Additionally , on two occasions -- in 1817 and 1945 -- they were held at other locations in Washington , D.C. .. Although the Constitution does not mandate that anyone in particular should administer the presidential oath of office , it is typically administered by the chief justice .. chief justice. Chief Justice of the United States. Since 1789 , the oath has been administered at 58 scheduled public inaugurations , by 15 chief justices , one associate justice , and one New York state judge .. associate justice. Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Others , in addition to the chief justice , have administered the oath of office to several of the nine vice presidents who succeeded to the presidency upon their predecessor 's death or resignation intra-term .. chief justice. Chief Justice of the United States. When a new president assumed office under these circumstances the inauguration is kept low key , and conducted without pomp or fanfare .