Fifth Grade
Worksheets
Speech of Promise
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
Each president since George Washington in 1789 has said this oath. An oath is a promise. The first inauguration took place in New York at Federal Hall. Washington took his oath on a balcony. It overlooked Wall Street. The crowd cheered three times. Washington went back to the Senate to give his inaugural speech.
Four years later, Washington took his second oath. This took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This was a temporary home for the government while the permanent capital was being built. After the ceremony, Washington gave the shortest speech in history. It was just one hundred thirty-five words.
