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Inauguration
 
 
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An inauguration is a formal ceremony to mark the beginning of a leader's term of office. An example is the ceremony in which the president of the United States officially takes the oath of office.

The most common usage of the term is in the context of a formal investiture
Investiture

Investiture, from the Latin is a rather general term for the formal installation of an incumbent in public office, especially by taking possession of its insignia....
 whereby an individual assumes an office or position of authority or power. The term is usually used in reference to a politician's assumption of the duties of head of state
Head of State

Head of state is the generic term for the individual or collective office that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchic or republican nation-state, federation, commonwealth or any other political state....
 or head of government
Head of government

The head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet . In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled Prime Minister, President of the Government, Premier, etc....
 (e.g.






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An inauguration is a formal ceremony to mark the beginning of a leader's term of office. An example is the ceremony in which the president of the United States officially takes the oath of office.

The most common usage of the term is in the context of a formal investiture
Investiture

Investiture, from the Latin is a rather general term for the formal installation of an incumbent in public office, especially by taking possession of its insignia....
 whereby an individual assumes an office or position of authority or power. The term is usually used in reference to a politician's assumption of the duties of head of state
Head of State

Head of state is the generic term for the individual or collective office that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchic or republican nation-state, federation, commonwealth or any other political state....
 or head of government
Head of government

The head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet . In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled Prime Minister, President of the Government, Premier, etc....
 (e.g. the President's inauguration). An "inaugural address" is the presidential speech given at this ceremony which informs the people of his intentions as a leader.

Political inaugurations often feature lavish ceremonies, in which the politician publicly takes his or her oath of office
Oath of office

An oath of office is an oath or Affirmation in law a person takes before undertaking the duties of an office, usually a position in government or within a religious body, although such oaths are sometimes required of officers of other organizations....
 in front of a large crowd of spectators. The equivalent ceremony in another jurisdiction may be called a "swearing-in
Oath of allegiance

An oath of allegiance is an oath whereby a nationality or citizen acknowledges his/her duty of allegiance and swears loyalty to his/her monarch or country....
". A monarchical inauguration is similar to what in another jurisdiction may be called a coronation
Coronation

A coronation is a ceremony marking the investiture of a monarch with regal power, specifically involving the placement of a coronation crown upon his or her head, and the presentation of other items of regalia....
 or enthronement
Enthronement

An enthronement is a ceremony of inauguration, sitting for the first time on a throne. The throne is seen as a symbol of authority, both secular and religious....
.

Other than personal inaugurations, the term can also refer to the official opening or beginning of an institution or structure, for example the inauguration of a new Canada
Canada

Canada is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean....
–United States
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
 border crossing
Border Crossing

Border Crossing may refer to:* Border Crossing , an album by saxophonist Mike Osborne.* Border Crossing , a UK hip hop collective musical group....
.

See also

  • Coronation
    Coronation

    A coronation is a ceremony marking the investiture of a monarch with regal power, specifically involving the placement of a coronation crown upon his or her head, and the presentation of other items of regalia....
  • United States presidential inauguration


External links

by NBC News Top 5:Apoliticus.com: http://www.apoliticus.com/2009/01/top-5-inauguration-incidents/