Second inauguration of Ronald Reagan

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Second Presidential Inauguration of Ronald Reagan
President Reagan being sworn in for second term in the rotunda at the U.S. Capitol 1985.jpg
Date January 20, 1985; 29 years ago (1985-01-20)
Location Washington, D.C.
Grand Foyer of the White House (private)
United States Capitol (public)
Participants President of the United States, Ronald Reagan
Assuming office
Chief Justice of the United States,
Warren E. Burger
Administering oath
Vice President of the United States,
George H. W. Bush
Assuming office
Former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States,
Potter Stewart
Administering oath

The second inauguration of Ronald Reagan as the 40th President of the United States was held privately on January 20, 1985 and publicly on January 21, 1985. The inauguration marked the commencement of the second four-year term of Ronald Reagan as President and George H. W. Bush as Vice President.

As January 20 was a Sunday, the swearing in of Ronald Reagan took place privately in the Grand Foyer of the White House, although it was televised. The following day, January 21, Chief Justice Warren E. Burger administered the oath publicly at the 1985 inauguration. As the weather outside was harsh, with temperatures near zero degrees Fahrenheit, the planners were forced to cancel most of the outdoor events; the ceremonial swearing-in and the inaugural address were held in the Capitol Rotunda.[1] Jessye Norman sang "Simple Gifts" at the ceremony.[citation needed]

William Proxmire, Senator from Wisconsin, gave Reagan's inaugural committee a Golden Fleece Award for spending $15.5 million of taxpayer money on the inauguration.[2]

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