From sketches to livestreams

(CLO) The way the US presidential inauguration is presented to the public has changed significantly throughout history.

Millions of people across the United States are expected to watch the second inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Television networks, online news outlets, and social media platforms are preparing to livestream this major event.

But in the past, inaugural speeches weren't always broadcast live immediately. In 1789, when then-President George Washington was sworn into office, his speech wasn't released until several days later.

Thomas Jefferson was the first president to have his inaugural address published in a newspaper on the day he was sworn in in 1801. By the time of President James Polk, the inaugural address was being relayed via telegram, and for the first time, illustrated in newspapers.

A graphic illustration depicting James Polk taking the oath of office as president. This was the first inauguration to be published as an illustration in a newspaper. Photo: Library of Congress .

The sketches for the inauguration continued to be used for the next 12 years, until photography became a more regular practice.

Photography and video gradually came into use in these ceremonies, starting with President James Buchanan in 1857. He was the first president to be photographed during his inauguration.

James Buchanan was the first president to be photographed during his inauguration. Photo: Library of Congress.

Forty years later, video was used to record inaugurations for the public. In 1901, President William McKinley appeared on camera during his inauguration, even though only silent film was available at the time.

When television had sound, in 1921, Warren Harding was the first president to use a loudspeaker to address a crowd. Then, in 2025, President Calvin Coolidge broadcast his inauguration on radio, reaching over 23 million listeners.

When television became widespread after World War II, the inauguration of President Harry Truman in 1949 was the first event to be broadcast live.

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy became the first person to broadcast his inauguration in color. Kennedy stated in his speech: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."

In 1981, President Ronald Reagan brought the solemn atmosphere of his inauguration to American cities via satellite. Later, President Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1997 marked the first time an event was streamed live on the internet, a move that coincided with the rapid development of this technology.

Barack Obama, the first president to join Twitter, generated over a million tweets since his 2013 inauguration speech. By 2017, when Trump was sworn into office, smartphone ownership had increased by 77%, and mobile carriers had installed antennas to support the sharing of images and videos on the social network.

In 2021, President Joe Biden's inauguration took place amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, with much of the event shifting online. Biden stated: " The world is watching all of us today. So here is my message to those outside our borders: America has been tested, and we have been made stronger because of it."

Hoai Phuong (according to Fox, ABC)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/lich-su-dua-tin-le-nham-chuc-tong-thong-my-tu-phac-hoa-phat-thanh-den-livestream-post331202.html