High Noon- January 20th

By CJP | January 20, 2009

In our “Amendment of the Day” series, we like to tell you about an addition to the Constitution that might have some relevance to your daily activities. 

That’s usually a tall order, but not today- January 20th- the day specifically named in Section 1 of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution as the date that every president takes the oath of office at exactly noon.  At that very moment, the Constitution says the power of the presidency will transfer from the sitting president to the newly elected president.   

But why January 20th?  Up until 1933, presidents were inaugurated in March, after winning election in November.  But after FDR came into office during the twin crises of the Depression and unrest overseas, Congress felt that the six-month transition had made the incoming president’s job more difficult, not easier, after waiting in the wings for six months to address the problems the country faced. 

So when Barack Obama raises his right hand to take the oath, it’s at the time the Constitution says it should be so. 

Topics: Amendment-a-Day, Morning Jane

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