Photos show what the presidential inauguration looked like 100 years ago
In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge's inauguration was the first to be broadcast live on the radio. A lot has changed since then.
Jan 19, 2025 - 15:57
President Calvin Coolidge and first lady Grace Coolidge at the 1925 inauguration.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
On March 4, 1925, nearly 100 years ago, President Calvin Coolidge was inaugurated for a second time.
He served a partial term beginning in 1923 after the death of President Warren G. Harding.
Coolidge's inauguration was the first to be broadcast live on the radio, with 22.8 million listeners.
On January 20, Donald Trump will be inaugurated for his second non-consecutive term as president in a tradition as old as the United States itself.
Nearly 100 years ago, President Calvin Coolidge took the same oath of office outside the Capitol. His inauguration was the first to be broadcast live on the radio, and he did not host any inaugural balls as part of his efforts to curb excessive government spending.
In honor of the coming inauguration, here's a look back at what the celebrations looked like a century ago.
President Calvin Coolidge, first lady Grace Coolidge, Vice President Charles Dawes, and second lady Caro Dawes posed together at the White House before leaving for the inauguration.
From left to right: Grace Coolidge, Calvin Coolidge, Caro Dawes, and Charles Dawes.
Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Calvin Coolidge served a partial term beginning in 1923 after the death of President Warren G. Harding and was reelected in 1924.
Charles Dawes was chosen as Coolidge's vice presidential nominee at the 1924 Republican National Convention.
Onlookers lined the streets of Washington, DC, to catch a glimpse of the president.
Calvin Coolidge and Grace Coolidge rode to the inauguration in a car.
Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Calvin Coolidge and Grace Coolidge rode to the inauguration in a convertible automobile accompanied by a mounted honor guard and cavalry escort.
At a press conference ahead of the inauguration, Calvin Coolidge said he intended for the event to be "moderate in its proportions and moderate in its expenditures." He saved the joint Congressional Inaugural Committee $16,000 by reducing the size of the parade and the amount of security, stands, and decorations, according to the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Vendors sold souvenir buttons to commemorate the event.
Vendors sold Calvin Coolidge buttons on Inauguration Day.
New York Daily News Archive/NY Daily News via Getty Images
The buttons featured the faces of Calvin Coolidge and Charles Dawes. Today, the mementos are rare collectibles.
Crowds gathered outside the Capitol to watch the inauguration.
Crowds at the inauguration of Calvin Coolidge.
Library of Congress/Interim Archives/Getty Images
Around 30,000 people attended the 1925 inauguration, UPI reported.
Chief Justice and former President William Howard Taft administered the oath of office — the first time a former president swore in another president.
The inauguration of Calvin Coolidge.
Topical Press Agency/Getty Images
Grace Coolidge did not hold the Bible for her husband's swearing-in ceremony. In 1964, Lady Bird Johnson became the first incoming first lady to hold the Bible for her husband, Lyndon B. Johnson.
In his inaugural address, Calvin Coolidge spoke about the need to cut taxes and reduce wasteful government spending.
Calvin Coolidge delivered his inaugural address.
PhotoQuest/Getty Images
"The men and women of this country who toil are the ones who bear the cost of the government," he said. "Every dollar that we carelessly waste means that their life will be so much the more meager. Every dollar that we prudently save means that their life will be so much the more abundant."
Coolidge's inauguration was the first to be broadcast live on the radio. Around 22.8 million listeners tuned in.
Crowds listened to Calvin Coolidge's inaugural address over the radio in New York City's Union Square.
New York Daily News Archive/NY Daily News via Getty Images
The ceremony was broadcast across the country over AT&T telephone wires. Photos of the event were also sent to newsrooms via wire photography transmissions. From Washington, DC, it took seven minutes for photos to reach New York City and an hour to reach Los Angeles, according to the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Calvin Coolidge did not throw or attend any inaugural balls, though some private charity balls were held in his honor.
An inaugural charity ball held for Calvin Coolidge's inauguration.
HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
The United States Navy Band Orchestra performed at a charity inaugural ball held in honor of Calvin Coolidge at the Mayflower Hotel, even though the president himself wasn't in attendance.
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