The Healer and the Pirate

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Friday, March 4, 2011

President Warren Harding's Inauguration - March 4, 1921

So the big news of this week in 1921 was the inauguration of President Warren Harding! Before the 20th amendment, the Presidents were inaugurated on March 4th!

So in March 1921, Woodrow Wilson was leaving office:

WOODROW WILSON'S ADMINISTRATION
Eight Years of the World's Greatest History


WOODROW WILSON took the oath of office as President on March 4, 1913, after one of the most sweeping triumphs ever known in Presidential elections...

--The New York Times, February 27, 1921


What a heart-wrenching headline:

WILSON'S EXIT IS TRAGIC

Limping on Cane, But Smiling, He Goes to Capitol With Harding.

THERE HE SIGNS LAST BILLS

But Fearing to Venture Out on East Portico, He Regretfully Leaves for His New Home.

HE IS CORDIAL WITH HARDING

Last Formal Statement Shows Coldness to Lodge--Gets Big Ovation at His Home.


The New York Times, March 5, 1921


On the other hand, preparations were made for Warren Harding's inauguration:

WASHINGTON BIBLE TO BE SAFEGUARDED

Going on Special Car to Be Used at Inauguration of President Harding.

PRICELESS--MASONIC RELIC

New President Will Swear on Same Page Thumbed by George Washington.


The New York Times, February 27, 1921


The same Bible was used for Presidents Eisenhower, Carter, and George Bush Sr.


Fewer people than expected showed up:

THRONG OF VISITORS FAILS TO ARRIVE

Plenty of Politicians and Officeseekers in Capital, but Few Old-Time Spectators.

DUE TO SIMPLE CEREMONY

Everything Settled for Today's Event Except the Exact Part That Wilson Will Play.


Special to The New York Times.

--The New York Times, March 4, 1921


While the tradition of a morning church service prior to the inauguration started in 1933 (!), there were a couple religious articles:

WILL PRAY FOR HARDING.

Churches on New Haven's Historic Green Hold Services Today.


--The New York Times, March 4, 1921


Ohio Catholic Pray for Harding.

--The New York Times, March 5, 1921



There is an editorial on Harding's speech at The New York Times, March 5, 1921.


AIRPLANES CARRY TIMES TO CAPITAL

Two Machines Put the Latest Edition Into Washington Early in the Morning.

TRAVEL 92 MILES AN HOUR

Start from Long Island Delayed Forty-five Minutes as Result of Storm.


Special to the New York Times.

--The New York Times, March 5, 1921

And the "happy puppy story," as my family always calls fluff news, is about boots given to Mr. Harding from a shoe factory for his inauguration.

Inauguration Boots for Harding

--The New York Times, March 5, 1921


More stats on the inauguration are at inaugural.senate.gov. The inaugural Bible was open to Micah 6:8 (excellent!):

Micah 6:8: (KJV): He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Did you know that Warren Harding's full name was Warren Gamaliel Harding? Yes, his middle name was Gamaliel! I will admit full well I thought that sounded rather like a Lord of the Rings name. Actually, Gamaliel was a Pharisee, a man who always struck me as delightfully sensible:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%205:34-39&version=NASB
Acts 5:34-39 (NASB) - But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time.  

And he said to them, "Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God."

The name comes up a few times in the Old Testament and also Paul says:

Acts 22:3: I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.

Guess that's enough news for today!

*All articles believed to be in public domain per US law.

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