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Past U.S. Inaugurations, revealed in 45 historic photos

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From George Washington to Barack Obama, see (almost) all of the Inaugurations of Washington, D.C.’s past

George Washington
All photos via Library of Congress

In only a few weeks, the United States’ forty-fifth president will be sworn in on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. This tradition has persisted since 1789 when George Washington was inaugurated.

For those interested in taking a step back in time, Curbed has compiled a total of 45 photos from the Library of Congress, showcasing the national tradition. Not every president was found in the archives, so expect a few gaps in time.

Below, in the photo gallery, get a glimpse at what previous Inaugurations looked like.