On January 20, 1937, Franklin D. Roosevelt and John Nance Garner began their second terms as President and Vice President of the United States. This marked the first time a presidential inauguration occurred on January 20, a change brought about by the 20th Amendment to the Constitution. Known as the “Lame Duck Amendment,” this reform aimed to reduce the extended gap between the election and the start of the new administration, addressing the logistical and political challenges of a changing era.
Before the 20th Amendment was ratified in 1933, presidential inaugurations were held on March 4, a tradition rooted in the 18th-century agricultural calendar. This allowed ample time for vote counting and travel to the capital. However, with the advancements in communication and transportation by the 20th century, the lengthy delay became increasingly unnecessary. The amendment rescheduled congressional terms to begin on January 3 and presidential inaugurations to January 20, limiting the influence of outgoing “lame duck” administrations. These changes fully took effect in 1937 with Roosevelt’s historic second inauguration.
Roosevelt’s second term was propelled by the success of his New Deal policies, which had redefined the federal government’s role during the Great Depression. Following his overwhelming victory in the 1936 election—where he won every state except Maine and Vermont—Roosevelt approached his second term with strong public support. His administration’s initiatives to address unemployment, stabilize financial systems, and assist struggling Americans had cemented his popularity, though political opposition to the New Deal began to intensify. Critics, including conservative Democrats and Republicans, argued that the federal government’s expanded role encroached on states’ rights and individual freedoms.
John Nance Garner, Roosevelt’s Vice President, brought legislative experience and pragmatism to the administration. As a seasoned politician from Texas, Garner often served as a bridge between Roosevelt and Congress. Although his conservative tendencies occasionally clashed with Roosevelt’s progressive agenda, his influence helped navigate political challenges and maintain stability within the administration.
The inauguration on January 20, 1937, unfolded on the East Front of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., under cold but clear skies. This date change introduced winter weather to the ceremony, a contrast to the milder conditions of early March inaugurations. Nonetheless, the historic significance and Roosevelt’s charismatic leadership drew large crowds to the event. Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes administered the presidential oath, while Vice President Garner was sworn in by Senate President pro tempore Key Pittman. Roosevelt’s inaugural address resonated with themes of resilience, unity, and the pursuit of economic and social justice, reflecting both the achievements of his first term and the challenges that lay ahead.
Roosevelt’s speech highlighted the ongoing struggle for national recovery, delivering a memorable call for social equity:
“The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.”
These words captured the spirit of the New Deal and reassured a nation still grappling with the effects of the Great Depression.
The 1937 inauguration set the stage for all subsequent presidential inaugurations to take place on January 20, reinforcing the nation’s ability to modernize its political framework. Roosevelt’s second term, inaugurated that day, would be a period of both accomplishments and controversies. Key events included the contentious “court-packing” plan to expand the Supreme Court and escalating global tensions as World War II loomed.
This inauguration symbolized not only a constitutional milestone but also the resilience and adaptability of American democracy during one of its most trying periods.
