We the People

My Fellow Americans: Presidents and their Inaugural Addresses

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Jeffrey Rosen interviews three contributors to the recently published compendium My Fellow Americans: Presidents and Their Inaugural Addresses, Michael Gerhardt, Kate Masur, and Ted Widmer. They reflect on President Trump’s second inaugural speech and discuss inaugural addresses throughout American history. This conversation was originally streamed live as part of the NCC’s America’s Town Hall program series on Jan. 21, 2025. 

Resources: 
  • Yuvraj Singh and Ted Widmer, My Fellow Americans: Presidents and Their Inaugural Addresses (2024) 
  • Martin Van Buren, Inaugural Address (March 4, 1837) 
  • Donald Trump, Second Inaugural Address (Jan. 20, 2025) 
  • Andrew Jackson, First Inaugural Address (March 4, 1829) 
  • Andrew Jackson, Second Inaugural Address (March 4, 1833) 
  • Grover Cleveland, Second Inaugural Address (March 4, 1893) 
  • Abraham Lincoln, First Inaugural Address (March 4, 1861) 
  • Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural Address (March 4, 1865) 
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt, First Inaugural Address (March 4, 1933) 
  • John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address (Jan. 20, 1961) 
  • Joe Biden, Inaugural Address (Jan. 20, 2021) 


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