when did presidents start swearing on the bible
Oath of office of the President of the United States By convention, incoming presidents raise their right hand and place the left on a Bible or other book while taking the oath of office. In 1789, George Washington took the oath of office with an altar Bible borrowed from the St. John's Lodge No. 1, Ancient York Masons lodge in New York, and he kissed the Bible afterward.[17][18] Subsequent presidents up to and including Harry Truman, followed suit.[19] Dwight Eisenhower broke that tradition in 1953 when he said a prayer instead of kissing the Bible.[20]
Shekhinah This term does not occur in the Bible, and is from rabbinic literature.[2]:148[3][4]
Article Two of the United States Constitution The President must give the Congress information on the "State of the Union" "from time to time." This is called the State of the Union Clause.[19] Originally, Presidents personally delivered annual addresses to Congress. Thomas Jefferson, who felt that the procedure resembled the speech from the throne delivered by British monarchs, chose instead to send written messages to Congress for reading by clerks. Jefferson's procedure was followed by future Presidents until Woodrow Wilson reverted to the former procedure of personally addressing Congress, which has continued to this day[update].[19]
Article Two of the United States Constitution Section 1 of Article Two of the United States Constitution sets forth the eligibility requirements for serving as president of the United States: