Welcome to the spring issue of Inside the White House, a newsletter that provides information about some of the interesting events taking place in Washington, D.C. This issue focuses on the Inauguration of the President of the United States and some of the ceremonies and traditions that have evolved since our nation's first President, George Washington, took the oath of office in 1789.

For more than two hundred years, Americans have enjoyed open elections that allow the smooth and peaceful transfer of power from one President to the next -- a democratic style of government that we take for granted, but that is unheard of in many countries around the world. The ceremony at the center of this process, called an Inauguration, is very simple. The President-elect takes the oath of office prescribed in the Constitution, thus officially becoming President of the United States.

On January 20, 1993, and again on January 20, 1997, Al Gore and I were proud to be sworn in as the Vice President and President of this great country. We will continue to do all we can to provide opportunities for our nation's citizens to make the most of their own lives. Americans have always believed that the future can be better than the present and that each of us has a personal responsibility to make it so. I hope that you will stay interested in current events, learning as much as you can about our system of government and the precious freedoms it ensures.

Inside -- Spring 1997 | Inside the White House Index