George Washington Inaugural Bible

bible used in Oath of Office of United States Presidents

The George Washington Inaugural Bible is the Bible that was sworn upon by George Washington when he took office as the first President of the United States on April 30, 1789.

Inaugural Bible as displayed at Federal Hall National Memorial

The Bible is the King James Version from 1767.[1] St. John's Lodge No. 1, Ancient York Masons, own the bible.

Some people believe the Bible was randomly opened to Genesis 49 during the ceremony, although some experts believe Washington purposely chose it.[2][3]

The Bible has since been used for the inaugurations of Warren G. Harding in 1921, Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953, Jimmy Carter in 1977, and George H. W. Bush in 1989.

References

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  1. St. John's Lodge No. 1 George Washington Inaugural Bible information
  2. Ceresi, Frank and McMains, Carol National Treasures - The George Washington Inaugural Bible Archived May 28, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
  3. "The very first inauguration". YouTube.