March 22, 2004
Presidential Fun Fact of the Day
Some tidbits from James Garfield's inauguration:
1. According to his diary, Garfield toyed with the idea of skipping the inaugural speech. He wrote that past speeches "except Lincoln's, are dreary reading. Doubtless mine will be also." He finally wrote out a speech late the night before he was inaugurated.
2. His speech wasn't extraordinary, but he was satisfied with it as well as public reaction to it. He said it was "far better than I expected."
3. The new president watched more than 15,000 military members file by his stand in the afternoon parade, which lasted 2 1/2 hours.
4. After Garfield's inauguration, the afternoon parade became more important than the morning procession.
5. Garfield's inaugural ball was the first to be illuminated by electric lighting.
Posted by Jennifer at March 22, 2004 02:32 PMTweet
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