TORRANCE TRIBUNE January 7, 2016 Page 7 TerriAnn in Torrance Inauguration Day By TerriAnn Ferren As we begin the New Year marking time with each day, it occurred to me that on Inauguration Day, January 20th next year, we will witness the 45th President of the United States taking the oath of office. Checking my trusty Encyclopedia Americana, I was reminded that we didn’t always celebrate Inauguration Day on January 20th. Originally, “When the Constitution had been ratified by the requisite number of states the Continental Congress by resolution of September 13, 1788, set the first Wednesday of the following March (March 4, 1789), as the “time for commencing proceedings” under the new form of government.” Later, with the 20th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States on February 6, 1933, the beginning of the terms of our president and vice-president were reset, starting at noon on January 20th. If perchance the 20th falls on Sunday, the event moves to the 21st. Frankly, as a child I didn’t pay that much attention to Inauguration Day until I could vote. That somehow changed my outlook dramatically. I think it was the third grade when I had to learn the presidents and turned to my mom for help. She was cooking and I was sitting at the maple table in the kitchen memorizing the presidents in order when she had a brilliant idea. Why not make up a story to remember the presidents? A story? Yup. Washington hit Adams, which made Jefferson – Mad – ison, etc. It worked and has helped me remember the presidents to this day. How many of us can name all or even a few presidents? And what does Inauguration Day mean to us today? I decided to ask a few Torrance citizens and get their answers and opinions. Carolyn Weyant told me, when I asked her how many presidents she could name and if she paid attention to the inauguration, “I would say quite a few. I do pay attention to it always - since Kennedy was inaugurated, and I am interested in watching the inauguration.” Lisa Johnson, on route to jury duty, took time to answer me and said, “I’m pretty good [knowing the presidents] but you know who you should talk to is Gary [her husband] - he knows them all from when he was a kid. I mean, I know a lot of them, but he knows them from way back. I paid attention [to the inauguration of Bill Clinton] when Maya Angelou spoke. That was the last inauguration I paid attention to because I wanted to hear her.” Then I asked Vickie Vega if she knew the presidents and she said she learned them in school, “We had to learn the president and the vice president as well. I listen to the inauguration every four years. I can’t remember my first one, but I watch election night and inauguration and it is a great thing to witness. My favorite presidents are Lincoln - and Teddy Roosevelt because he set up the National Parks in this country. It was brilliant. And of course the Teddy Bear was named after him, you know.” Vickie then went on to tell me how great Teddy Roosevelt was and how much she admires him. How wonderful that a president’s legacy touches someone so strongly years after he served in the office. Then I asked my friend, Thomas Trulove if he remembered the presidents and if he paid attention to the inauguration and he told me, “In order, probably not [the presidents] and I don’t probably pay attention to it [the inauguration]… it is a party for most.” I hadn’t thought about the parties, but that is true. In fact, the length of the celebrations traditionally lasts ten days. That’s one big party. Five days prior to the inauguration and five days afterwards. I can remember watching first ladies dancing at several balls in their beautiful gowns, and some first ladies changing gowns for different balls. Somehow, the president’s attire hasn’t been as memorable to me, to date. Obviously, the most important part of the inauguration is the oath. “I …. do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States Vickie Vega. against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.” It is the most important oath taken by the president elect and each time I hear it spoken, I can feel the lump in my throat. Next year on Friday, January 20, 2017 we, as a nation, will witness the inauguration of a new president of the United States of America. Stay tuned. • Seniors Live Long And Financially Strong With These 3 Tips Face The Financial Realities. 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