Stand Up and Take This Quiz on Presidential Inaugurations

Over three tons of Jelly Belly jelly beans were shipped to the U.S. capital for President Ronald Reagan’s inauguration day. The flavors were very cherry (red), coconut (white), and blueberry (blue), the last of which was made specifically for the event to complete the American flag colors. Why jelly beans? Reagan used them to quit smoking and was known to carry around a jar of them.

Traditionally, five flags are flown between columns on the western front of the U.S. Capitol building during the inauguration ceremony. In the center is a traditional 50-star flag, with other ceremonial flags draped on each side. The flags directly beside the center flag typically represent the president-elect's home state. In recent ceremonies, two 13-star Betsy Ross flags have flown at both ends.

Washington, D.C., didn’t become the U.S. capital until 1800, so it makes sense that the first president, George Washington, was inaugurated elsewhere. His inaugurations took place in the former U.S. capital cities of New York City in 1789 and Philadelphia in 1793.

A Californian cowboy named Marty Montana had the honor of lassoing the newly appointed President Dwight D. Eisenhower while he observed the parade from his reviewing stand in 1953. All in good fun, it was part of the nearly five-hour spectacle in Washington, D.C., with an attendance of around 750,000.

In 1809, Dolley Madison attended her husband James Madison's presidential inauguration, beginning a tradition that has lasted ever since. She didn’t participate in the ceremony, though. The first lady’s participation wouldn’t begin until 1965 when Lady Bird Johnson held the Bible during the oath of office.

Historians don’t know for sure who added this line to the end of the oath. Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution spells out the presidential oath and does not include “under God,” but most presidents have said it. There is some thought that George Washington started the tradition by adding, “So help me God,” to the end of his oath, or that Chester Alan Arthur used the words when he took the oath after James Garfield died.

The inauguration tradition began when George Washington was inaugurated for his second term on March 4, 1793. Early inaugurations were held in March to give officials enough time to collect results after Election Day. With modern advances, legislators pushed to move the date closer to the start of the year. In 1933, the ratification of the 20th Amendment moved the inauguration date to January 20.

John F. Kennedy holds numerous presidential distinctions: youngest U.S. president, first Catholic U.S. president, and first U.S. president to have a poetry recital at his inauguration, thanks to Robert Frost taking the podium in 1961 to recite "The Gift Outright." Only four Presidents have had poetry readings at their ceremonies: JFK, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden.

Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, then-Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson had to take his oath of office on Air Force One. The solemn event also marked the first presidential swearing-in administered by a woman, Judge Sarah Hughes.

Hail to the Chief! This short song became the traditional anthem of the president thanks to First Lady Julia Tyler, wife of the 10th U.S. President, John Tyler. She requested that it be played whenever the president entered any formal occasion, including inaugural events. It has been commonplace ever since.