Slight Detour: Memorable Inaugarations

The most memorable Inauguration during my teaching tenure was that of Ronald Reagan in 1981 when Iran’s release of the hostages after 444 days coincided with the new President taking over. It always seemed like a real “in your face” to Jimmy Carter who had been so paralyzed at do anything about the hostage situation which kept us all riveted for so long. I was always proud that my students got to see history in the making, even if only through the lens of a camera—-they were, at least, seeing it as it happened. We didn’t have such options when President John F. Kennedy assumed office in 1961. I was in junior high at the time, and I had to come home to hear my mother tell about what a stirring speech he had given. I think I heard “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country” by the time I walked from the kitchen to the living room where we sat and watched Walter Cronkite and the evening news in black and white to see what the new President had said that day/ Marianne Love , Slight Detour. More here (second item) .

Question: What was your most memorable inaugaration?