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Obama Inauguration Trivia: Do You Know Which President Gave the Shortest Speech? The Longest?

Jan. 18, 2013 1:58pm Glenn Hall

President Barack Obama’s plans for his second swearing-in will break a few traditions, but so far there’s no word on whether he’ll set any new records for an inaugural address.

Presidents have always used the occasion “to articulate their hopes and dreams for a nation,” according to Congressional records. Some have been mercifully succinct — in fact, one delivered only 135 words.

On the other extreme, one president literally talked himself to death.

Obama Inauguration Trivia; Which President Gave Shortest Inaugural Address?

Photo Credit: AP

That was William Henry Harrison, who stood outside in a snowstorm without a hat or coat for one hour and 45 minutes to deliver his inaugural address on March 4, 1841, according to Encyclopædia Britannica. He contracted pneumonia and died a month later, making his term in office the shortest in American history.

Harrison’s speech set the record for length of 8,495 words. By comparison, Obama’s first inaugural speech was 2,420 words.

So who gave that super short speech of only 135 words (which remains the record for brevity)? And what did he say?

Photo Credit: WhiteHouse.gov

It was none other than George Washington, speaking ahead of his second swearing in ceremony in Philadelphia on March 4, 1793, according to Senate records.

Here’s the transcript:

Fellow Citizens:

I am again called upon by the voice of my country to execute the functions of its Chief Magistrate. When the occasion proper for it shall arrive, I shall endeavor to express the high sense I entertain of this distinguished honor, and of the confidence which has been reposed in me by the people of united America. Previous to the execution of any official act of the President the Constitution requires an oath of office. This oath I am now about to take, and in your presence: That if it shall be found during my administration of the Government I have in any instance violated willingly or knowingly the injunctions thereof, I may (besides incurring constitutional punishment) be subject to the upbraidings of all who are now witnesses of the present solemn ceremony.

Washington also added the words “so help me God” to the oath of office after repeating the Constitution’s prescribed oath at his first inauguration and, in what Brittanica calls the “most meaningful” gesture in U.S. presidential inauguration history, Washington then bent down to kiss the Bible.

(H/T: Eserver; Front page photo credit: AP)

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More Inauguration News:

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Comments (33)

Common Sense Sally
Posted on January 21, 2013 at 1:31pm
What a great leader we had in George Washington. Humble before the country. A true servant. He might be sad to hear how our leaders now speak about their “servant” jobs…

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PhineasJWhoopee
Posted on January 19, 2013 at 10:57pm
The food stamp president and his elitist cronies will dine on the most expensive gourmet food from around the world while the nation suffers the consequences of his Marxist policies. Afterward Michelle will laugh as she baths in the tears of the unemployed.

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Chi-Fawn
Posted on January 19, 2013 at 12:59pm
If President Obama will be doing things differently it’s hoped that if he and Michelle walk the way to their house like they did last time part of the difference is that Michelle dresses for the weather and wears gym shoes instead of the ensamble she wore last time. It was pretty but wasn’t made for walking in the weather for a long way.

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- RinkyDink34
  Posted on January 19, 2013 at 3:52pm
  Brake a Leg……………………..
  
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- Honestybefore truth
  Posted on January 19, 2013 at 5:53pm
  Yes, but the best? 1. Abraham Lincoln (second Inaugural) 2. John F. Kennedy 3. Ronald Reagan (first Inaugural)
  
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mato
Posted on January 19, 2013 at 11:12am
They say he is writing this one all by himself but I think Valarie J. will have a big hand in it. He said himself that he doesn’t make a move with out talking to her first. She is the eyes, ears and mouth of the Communist party in the White House.

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TouchStoneMT
Posted on January 19, 2013 at 12:54am
Washington set the standard.
Nobody else has ever equaled it.
…the current tenant at 1600 Pennsylvania has set another, far different standard.
….and – God willing – we might just survive as a nation, in spite of it.

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- sonofgalt
  Posted on January 19, 2013 at 1:22am
  his state of the union where not speeches but letters sent to congress when he became president the number of employees was him, vp and secretary of state
  
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- smv803
  Posted on January 19, 2013 at 10:42am
  I tell you what…..his will be the least watched in the history of inaugural addresses. It will be like watching a snake….you know, A fork tongued viper.
  
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HoratiusAtTheBridge
Posted on January 19, 2013 at 12:53am
LOL – I already see posts like I thought of upon reading the title of this article…little big ears’ giving a speech? Whatever… I’d say that the LAST presidential inaugural speech was that of “W”… but even then we see that was only only part of “twilight’s last gleaming”. Limit yourselves on worrying about this daily slop; instead, shed the “stuff” – the electronics, the big toys – sell it now – and help to build something back up after the fall. Buy gardening tools, building tools and supplies and yes – guns and ammunition. “Der wolf ist an der tur” – The wolf is at the door.

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ALL4FREEDOM
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 7:04pm
Does anyone really believe that Obummer intends to follow even one word of the oath he’s going to take? He hasn’t so far, why start now? His actions to date are subversive, if not treasonous. He should be impeached and tried, not inaugurated.

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GuruMeditation
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 5:55pm
Dunno. But I hope Obama breaks a new record with the shortest one.

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- Soul Leister
  Posted on January 18, 2013 at 6:40pm
  Which comedian said, “I have a dream and a head wound”?
  
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crackerone
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 5:47pm
I can see B O bending down……… to kiss his ring.

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noslave
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 4:27pm
since he loves compareing himself to lincoln,hopefully he’ll give the shortest speach?? I DECLARE MYSELF KING OBAMA??POP BANG OOMF??NEXT??

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- lanimom229
  Posted on January 19, 2013 at 1:24pm
  But the next would be joe bien!!!! Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
  
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- noslave
  Posted on January 19, 2013 at 5:08pm
  lanniemom,like getting out a stain you wash and rinse over and over till the total stain is removed???
  
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Look4DBigPicture
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 3:24pm
Listening to one more lie out of this naricisist-in-chief will drive me to commit Hari-Kari, therefore I don’t plan to watch his inaugural address this year.

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h20sue
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 3:01pm
I truly don’t care who gave the shortest or longest speech, but I do think Obama is again wasting money for something 90% of the country could care less about and that’s his being sworn in for another four years. If he took the money he’s wasting and used it to help struggling families, schools, and medical problems, the country would be better off. The hooplah needs to end. His spending habits need to come to an abrupt hault. Our family is not interested in seeing Obama, whether he’s giving a speech, playing in Hawaii, or sounding off about gun control. He’s a community organizer, and not a respected leader of our free nation. Foreign countries are laughing behind his back and think the USA is a pansy. We are! When will people stop raving about this man, he’s nothing! He a money hungry socialist and he wants to ruin this country. He’s doing a bang up job thus far, and we have another four years ahead of more struggle. He’s not changed our minds about his inability to lead. Same old thing, over and over. Liberals are nuts to think he’s capable of changing or doing anything to improve this country. No honest businessman or leader goes without out lining a budget. Where’s ours? Expect more debt, and expect Obama Care to eventually put the nail in our coffins, as it’s already started. Health care costs are soaring and we can’t afford it…

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PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 2:58pm
I hope OBJECTIONS to his confirmation are made by at least One Senator and One Representative in order to launch an investigation. Congress should NOT confirm Bho as President for he is NOT an Article II “natural Born Citizen” Attorney Mario Apuzzo

http://www.cdrkerchner.wordpress.com God Bless America

May lightening strike him when he swears on the Holy Bible another lying oath before G-d and country. I will not watch the usurper lie again.

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- Lloyd Drako
  Posted on January 18, 2013 at 3:33pm
  There is no such thing as a presidential “confirmation.” Obama has already been elected by the Electoral College and will be inaugurated. After that, the House can impeach him and the Senate can convict him, but they’ve got enough on their plate already, wouldn’t you say?
  
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doncorleone
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 2:48pm
Most importantly to me is, how much damage his slavish idolators did to our National Mall. Between the cleanup of the mountains of trash, the destruction, and subsequent repairs, were well over 30 million taxpayer dollars. Seeing how effective his “ground game” i.e. fraudulent get out the votes organizations, along w/all of his other zombies, including all of his “crime” families, union bosses, could pony up some busloads of “help” for the park service, @ “discounted” prices I’ll bet.

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woodyee
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 2:39pm
No one really expects Obama to man-up for this inauguration; in fact, all the fur and feathers and grand stage accouterments and all the fawning by State Media and stupid, or ignorant Obama-is-a-Hero-worshippers, are being put in place to make up for his lack of presence and credibility.

The world will celebrate with a groan.

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Al J Zira
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 2:38pm
I hear the weather is supposed to be terrible until the king takes the stage. Then the clouds are supposed to part and rays from above are supposed to rain down on him as the heavens sing in praise.

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tonypro
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 2:36pm
Who CARES what this POS is doing?

He is NOT, nor will he EVER be the true President of the U.S.

Other than knowing what the enemy is doing, for positioning reasons, I don’t really care about this greatest fraud in our history.

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@leftfighter
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 2:20pm
Another bit of inauguration trivia… not all of the speeches have been given orally.

Several of the first speeches were merely delivered to the House and Senate in text form.

Washington’s, specifically, but there were others.

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- Lloyd Drako
  Posted on January 18, 2013 at 3:30pm
  Thanks for pointing that out. The same is true of the annual State of the Union Address, which is mandated by the Constitution but which used to be just a written missive to Congress, not a full-dress speech to the whole Congress with shout-outs to assorted members of minorities, veterans, and so on, carefully salted in the galleries. Gotta love George Washington even more for his brevity.
  
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Berfie
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 2:17pm
Does anyone know what the weather will be on the day of the Coronation?

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- 65Mustang
  Posted on January 18, 2013 at 2:29pm
  I would like to see sleet and snow with everything covered in ice…seeing him strut down the street and fall on his azz.
  
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- Anonymous T. Irrelevant
  Posted on January 18, 2013 at 2:38pm
  I hope it rains hard, all day, and floods the city. The “Arrogant One” will just move everything inside and cost us even more.
  
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@leftfighter
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 2:14pm
May God bless America with another George Washington.

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SamIamTwo
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 2:10pm
I pray that Obama’s teleprompter fails…

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- kaydeebeau
  Posted on January 18, 2013 at 2:19pm
  I’m praying for a spectacular, extreme display of winter weather…..
  
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