We usually picture a U.S. presidential inauguration as a serious, traditional event. It’s a carefully planned ceremony marking the peaceful handover of power. This day holds deep meaning. It represents American democracy continuing and our hopes for the new leader. We expect dignity, inspiring speeches, and a smooth change from one president to the next.
But history shows something different. Beneath the formal surface, these key moments have often included very unpredictable events. Some were simply odd, while others were truly chaotic. Expectations sometimes crash against reality. Things can go very wrong or just get plain weird. Think of wild crowds taking over the White House or presidents having near-death experiences on stage. These unexpected events give us a fascinating look at the human side of American government.
In this article, we’ll explore ten of the wildest, most unbelievable things that actually happened at presidential inaugurations. They prove that even the best-laid plans can take surprising turns. Get ready to see history get a little wild.
The 10 Wildest Things That Really Happened at Presidential Inaugurations
1. White House Mob Scene – Andrew Jackson (1829)
Andrew Jackson, the seventh president, built his image as a “man of the people”. His first inauguration in 1829 truly reflected this image in ways few expected.
An Open Invitation
After taking the oath, Jackson invited the public into the White House to celebrate with him. He wanted to show inclusivity. However, this gesture quickly led to total chaos.
Chaos Erupts
Thousands of excited supporters rushed into the presidential mansion. Many wore work boots and simple clothes. They were eager to see their hero, “Old Hickory”. The huge crowd overwhelmed the White House staff. Muddy boots ruined expensive carpets. People knocked over furniture and broke china while trying to get refreshments or a view of the president. Servants struggled to move through the thick crowd with punch bowls, often spilling them. One vivid report mentions waiters spilling a large bowl of spiked orange punch on the carpets.
The President Escapes
The situation grew so wild that President Jackson reportedly had to escape the crush. He slipped out a side door or maybe even a window.
Restoring Order
To regain control, a clever White House steward placed large tubs of whiskey punch on the lawn. This trick successfully drew most of the noisy crowd outside. It eased the dangerous situation indoors.
Mixed Reactions
Jackson’s supporters saw the event as a victory for democracy. They felt it suited the “people’s president”. However, Washington’s elite were horrified. They saw a shocking breakdown of social order and called it the “reign of King Mob”. Press coverage showed this split opinion. Some praised the public’s enthusiasm, while others condemned the damage and lack of manners. This wild start to Jackson’s presidency highlighted the growing power of everyday people and the anxiety this caused among the upper class.
2. Deadly Speech – William Henry Harrison (1841)
William Henry Harrison made history in 1841. He won the presidency and delivered the longest inaugural address ever – 8,445 words, taking nearly two hours. But the circumstances made this event truly “wild” and tragic. Harrison gave this long speech on a very cold and rainy morning without wearing a coat or hat.
A Risky Decision
At 68, Harrison was the oldest president inaugurated at that time. Some think he braved the cold to appear strong and healthy, fighting concerns about his age. Whether it was a show of strength or just poor judgment, many believe this choice proved fatal.
Fatal Consequences
That same evening, Harrison reportedly went to bed with a cold. His condition worsened quickly, turning into pneumonia. Just 31 or 32 days after taking office, President William Henry Harrison died. His presidency remains the shortest in U.S. history.
A Cautionary Tale
Historians still debate if the long exposure directly caused his death. Some suggest he might have already been sick. Still, many people believe his marathon, coatless speech in the freezing rain contributed to his death. This tragic story became a cautionary tale in politics about risking health for image. The image of a president giving an hours-long speech in the freezing cold, only to die weeks later, is an unforgettable and “wild” moment in inauguration history.
3. Inebriated VP Swearing-In – Andrew Johnson (1865)
Before 1937, the Vice President took the oath in a separate ceremony inside the Senate chamber. This happened before the President’s outdoor oath. In 1865, during Abraham Lincoln’s second inauguration, this tradition led to a wild and embarrassing moment involving the new Vice President, Andrew Johnson.
Whiskey for Typhoid?
On inauguration morning, Johnson reportedly drank several glasses of whiskey. He claimed he was treating typhoid fever, a common but misguided practice then.
A Drunken Speech
The alcohol’s effect was clear when Johnson appeared for his swearing-in. Witnesses said he was obviously drunk. He gave a rambling, slurred, and bizarre speech that lasted much longer than expected. His incoherent words reportedly included boasting and strange remarks.
Mortification and Backlash
The scene embarrassed everyone present. President Lincoln, waiting for his own ceremony, looked visibly humiliated by Johnson’s behavior. Johnson’s performance was so bad that officials reportedly had to escort him out. The political fallout was swift. Some Republicans were so shocked they privately demanded Johnson resign before his term even began.
Lincoln’s Defense and Foreshadowing
Despite the scandal, President Lincoln publicly defended Johnson. “I have known Andrew Johnson for many years,” Lincoln reportedly said, “He made a slip the other day, but you need not be scared. Andy ain’t a drunkard”. Less than six weeks later, Lincoln was assassinated, and Johnson became president. His messy vice-presidential inauguration seemed to foreshadow his difficult presidency. This event reminds us that even in formal state events, human weaknesses can steal the show.
4. The Baltimore Plot – Abraham Lincoln (1861)
Abraham Lincoln’s first inauguration in March 1861 happened under a dark cloud: a real threat of assassination before he even took office. After Lincoln’s election, the nation was splitting apart. Tensions soared towards Civil War. Rumors spread about plots to stop the Republican president-elect from reaching Washington D.C..
A Credible Threat
Concerns focused on Lincoln’s train journey, especially through Baltimore, Maryland. Baltimore had strong pro-slavery feelings, making it a likely spot for trouble. Lincoln’s team took these threats seriously. They hired detective Allan Pinkerton to investigate. Pinkerton’s agency found what they believed was a credible plot. Secessionists allegedly planned to attack Lincoln as he changed trains in Baltimore. This became known as the “Baltimore Plot”.
Secret Arrival
To keep Lincoln safe, Pinkerton and security advisors convinced him to change his travel plans drastically. Lincoln traveled through Baltimore late at night on a different train than planned. Some accounts say he wore a disguise, though others dispute this detail. He arrived safely but secretly in Washington D.C. early on February 23, 1861.
Media Scrutiny
The secret trip worked; Lincoln avoided any attack. But news of the alleged plot and Lincoln’s hidden arrival led to negative press. Some newspapers, especially those against Lincoln, mocked him. They questioned his courage and called his secret journey cowardly. The fact that the incoming president faced such a real threat that he had to sneak into the capital shows the extreme danger and division of the time. It marked his presidency as one defined by conflict from the very start, making his first inauguration one of the wildest in U.S. history.
5. Parade of Dead Pigeons – Richard Nixon (1973)
Richard Nixon’s second inauguration in January 1973 is known for a strange and rather grim event involving pigeons. Planners worried about bird droppings ruining the look of the parade route along Pennsylvania Avenue. Nixon’s inaugural committee decided to act preemptively.
The Plan Goes Wrong
They spent about $13,000 on a chemical bird repellent called “Roost No More”. Workers applied this sticky chemical to trees along the route. The goal was to make the branches uncomfortable for pigeons.
A Grim Outcome
Unfortunately, the plan failed badly in a gruesome way. The chemical didn’t just repel the pigeons; it sickened and killed many of them. On parade day, the route wasn’t clean and bird-free. Instead, it became a strange and disturbing scene. Dead and dying pigeons lay scattered along Pennsylvania Avenue, falling from the trees.
Dark Comedy and Irony
This unintended result quickly became a talking point. A minor planning issue turned into a dark, weird footnote in inauguration history. The sight of a parade route covered in dead birds was an awkward start to Nixon’s second term. Looking back, especially after the Watergate scandal led to Nixon’s resignation, some saw the incident as symbolic. It seemed to show how even well-meaning plans under his administration could go wrong in surprising and terrible ways.
6. Near-Fire and Frost’s Fumble – John F. Kennedy (1961)
John F. Kennedy’s 1961 inauguration gave us one of history’s most inspiring inaugural speeches. He famously urged Americans to “ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country”. But behind the powerful words and youthful image, the ceremony itself hit several unexpected snags.
Fire at the Podium
Before Kennedy even started speaking, things got off to a shaky start. During the opening prayer by Cardinal Richard Cushing, smoke suddenly poured from the lectern. A bad electric motor in the podium heater caught fire. Blue smoke rising into the cold air was an alarming sight at such a formal moment.
Frost’s Struggle
The famous American poet Robert Frost added to the day’s drama. Frost wrote a new poem for the event but was also asked to read his famous work, “The Gift Outright”. However, the weather worked against him. Bright sun reflecting off fresh snow created a harsh glare. The elderly poet couldn’t read his new poem’s text. Visibly struggling, Frost gave up on the new poem and recited “The Gift Outright” from memory. To make things more awkward, Frost also reportedly called President Kennedy by the wrong name, though reports vary on this.
Oath Flub
Even the oath wasn’t perfect. When Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson took his oath, he slightly misstated the words. He said “without any mental reservation whatever” instead of the full phrase “without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion”.
Memorable Mishaps
None of these events were disasters on their own. But together – a podium fire, a fumbled poetry reading, and a slightly flawed oath – they created a feeling of unexpected chaos behind the scenes. Despite these hiccups, Kennedy’s strong speech ultimately defined the day. But the difference between the perfect image and the minor fumbles makes JFK’s inauguration notably “wild” for its disruptions.
7. Oath Redo – Barack Obama (2009)
Barack Obama’s first inauguration in January 2009 was historic. A record crowd, estimated at 1.8 million people, gathered on the National Mall. They watched the swearing-in of the nation’s first African American president. But amid the huge significance, a small but constitutionally important “wild” moment happened during the key part: the oath of office.
A Stumble Over Words
Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. administered the oath to President-elect Obama. However, there was a slight stumble in reciting the exact words required by the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution sets the oath as: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States…”. During the ceremony, Chief Justice Roberts accidentally misplaced the word “faithfully”. This caused Obama to pause, and the phrasing got mixed up. The version they recited was: “That I will execute the office of president to the United States faithfully,”. The correct wording is: “That I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States”.
Constitutional Caution
Many in the huge crowd or watching on TV might not have noticed the small error. But the presidential oath’s exact wording comes directly from the Constitution (Article II, Section 1, Clause 8). Its precision is vital for the president’s legitimacy. White House lawyers decided to redo the oath to avoid any possible doubt or constitutional question, no matter how small.
The Do-Over
So, the next day, January 21, 2009, Chief Justice Roberts visited the White House. He privately gave the oath again to President Obama in the Map Room. This time, they made sure every word was perfect. This unusual “do-over” of the presidential oath showed that even tiny details matter in official ceremonies. It certainly counts as a “wild” and notable event in inauguration history.
8. Lassoed by a Cowboy – Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953)
Dwight D. Eisenhower’s first inauguration in 1953 included a surprising and very American moment. A cowboy playfully lassoed the president during the inaugural parade.
A Surprise Lasso
As the parade moved down Pennsylvania Avenue, Montie Montana rode his horse toward the presidential viewing stand. Montana was a famous California rodeo star and movie cowboy. President Eisenhower and Vice President Richard Nixon watched from the stand. In a move that likely shocked many viewers, Montana stopped his horse. He skillfully twirled his rope and threw it, gently looping it around President Eisenhower’s shoulders.
A Planned Stunt?
This might have looked like a spontaneous act by an eager performer. However, historical accounts say it was actually a planned stunt. Montana had asked for permission first. He initially suggested giving Eisenhower and Nixon ten-gallon hats. But Eisenhower, a five-star general and war hero, reportedly preferred the more dramatic lassoing gesture. Some say Ike, who grew up in Texas and Kansas, specifically requested it, enjoying the Western touch.
Folksy Americana
The image was striking: the serious President, a war hero, briefly caught in a cowboy’s rope. It added unique humor, informality, and American Western identity to the formal event. It showed how an inauguration’s tone can reflect the president’s personality and the nation’s culture. Seeing “Ike” lassoed remains one of the most “wild,” fun, and memorable moments in presidential history. It perfectly mixed official ceremony with folksy charm.
9. Frozen Canaries – Ulysses S. Grant (1873)
Ulysses S. Grant’s second inauguration in March 1873 is sadly remembered for more than just the oath. A strange and grim incident involving canaries happened at the inaugural ball.
Extreme Cold
Washington D.C. suffered extremely cold weather that Inauguration Day. Temperatures dropped dramatically, creating harsh conditions.
A Fatal Decoration Idea
Event organizers wanted to add cheer and life to the grand inaugural ball that evening. They had an unusual plan: bring in 100 live canaries in cages. They hoped the birds’ singing and bright colors would create a pleasant atmosphere. But they made a terrible mistake. They didn’t consider the severe cold or ensure the birds were kept warm enough inside the temporary ball structure.
A Grim Discovery
Tragically, the intense cold killed most of the delicate birds. The vast majority of the 100 canaries froze to death in their cages. Instead of the planned lively mood, the ball featured the grim sight of many frozen yellow birds. This morbid scene starkly contrasted with the expected celebration.
A Cautionary Tale
People criticized the incident as poor planning gone wrong. It was an early example of event failure under pressure. The story of the frozen canaries has stuck in historical records. It makes Grant’s second inaugural ball a truly “wild,” though sad and gruesome, event. It serves as a stark warning about unpredictable weather and how even lighthearted plans can end badly.
10. Clothes-Borrowing Inauguration – Theodore Roosevelt (1901)
Theodore Roosevelt first became president in September 1901 under dramatic circumstances. It wasn’t after an election victory with typical Washington D.C. celebrations. Instead, national tragedy led to an inauguration known for its speed, lack of formality, and borrowed clothes.
Tragedy Strikes
Vice President Roosevelt was vacationing and hiking in New York’s remote Adirondack Mountains. He received the shocking news: President William McKinley had been shot by an assassin in Buffalo, New York. Roosevelt immediately started a difficult journey back to civilization. He reached Buffalo just as President McKinley died from his wounds on September 14, 1901. Suddenly, Theodore Roosevelt was President.
A Hasty Ceremony
Power needed to transfer quickly and clearly. There was no time for usual procedures or a trip back to Washington D.C.. The inauguration ceremony happened that very same day. It took place not in the U.S. Capitol, but in the library of a private home in Buffalo. This was the house of Roosevelt’s friend, Ansley Wilcox (now a National Historic Site).
Borrowed Attire
Roosevelt rushed from his mountain trip to McKinley’s side. He hadn’t packed formal clothes suitable for becoming president. For this crucial moment, he had to borrow proper attire. Reports say he wore a borrowed long frock coat, trousers, and waistcoat for the urgent ceremony.
Somber and Simple
The event itself was very different from a standard inauguration. U.S. District Judge John R. Hazel administered the oath solemnly. Only a small, quiet group watched. This included cabinet members who were with McKinley, close friends, and a few officials. There were no parades, no cheering crowds, and no fancy balls. Reflecting the sad situation, officials didn’t even allow photographs during the swearing-in. This simple, fast transfer of power happened in a private home due to a national crisis. The new president wore borrowed clothes. This humble beginning contrasts sharply with usual presidential pomp, making Roosevelt’s first inauguration uniquely “wild”.
Bonus Mini-Section: Honorable Mentions: Other Odd Moments at Inaugurations
The top ten list covers some truly extreme events. But many other unusual things have happened during presidential inaugurations over the years.
- Simple Start: Thomas Jefferson walked to his first inauguration in 1801. He wanted to show he was a “man of the people”.
- Sudden Transitions: Lyndon B. Johnson took his oath on Air Force One in Dallas right after John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963. Harry S. Truman took his oath in the White House after Franklin D. Roosevelt died suddenly in 1945. Both were unconventional settings due to tragedy.
- Weather Issues: Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration ceremony in 1985 moved indoors because of extreme cold. James Buchanan’s 1857 inauguration suffered from the “National Hotel Disease”. This sickness affected hundreds and killed dozens attending the events.
- Skipping the Ceremony: Some outgoing presidents haven’t attended their successor’s inauguration. John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Martin Van Buren, Andrew Johnson, and Donald Trump chose to skip, adding political tension.
- Protests: Protests have become common at inaugurations, showing the country’s political divisions. This was notable during Richard Nixon’s and Donald Trump’s ceremonies.
- Little Quirks: John Quincy Adams swore his oath on a law book, not a Bible. George Washington reportedly seemed nervous giving his first inaugural speech. Franklin Pierce supposedly fainted before his inauguration. Theodore Roosevelt wore a ring with a lock of Abraham Lincoln’s hair at his second inauguration.
- Modern Notes: People noticed Melania Trump’s hat seemed to block a kiss at Donald Trump’s 2017 inauguration. Elon Musk’s salute also drew attention. Trump used his speech for major policy announcements. Kamala Harris’s historic swearing-in as the first female Vice President during the COVID-19 pandemic was also unique.
These moments show that inaugurations are always evolving and subject to surprises.
Conclusion
Presidential inaugurations aim for order and tradition. They are key symbols in American government. But ultimately, they are human events. They can be affected by weather, public emotions, and unexpected turns in history.
The “wild” moments we’ve explored – from chaotic crowds to deadly illnesses and strange animal problems – clearly show this. They remind us that even the most formal ceremonies can have unexpected twists. These events offer fascinating looks behind the scenes of power. They reveal human errors and the sheer unpredictability present even in America’s most important moments.
These oddities make these powerful moments more human. They show that history involves accidents, personal traits, and unforeseen events, not just plans and speeches. Inaugurations reflect their times – the specific mix of ceremony, challenges, and presidential style. These weird stories stick with us because they highlight the gap between plans and reality. They show moments when things go off script. They prove that even on the biggest stage, anything can happen. As we watch future inaugurations, history tells us to expect the unexpected. The next chapter of the American presidency might just bring another “wild” moment for the history books.