The 2025 Presidential Inauguration, set for Monday, January 20th at noon ET, offers a powerful teaching opportunity that bridges past and present. More than just a ceremony, inaugurations serve as living snapshots of American politics, culture, and society throughout our nation’s history. While the political nature of this event may create sensitive moments in the classroom, it also provides rich opportunities for student engagement across multiple subjects. From analyzing inaugural addresses to exploring inaugural traditions, there are countless ways to make this historic moment meaningful for students. To help navigate potentially challenging discussions, we’ve included social-emotional learning (SEL) resources that support respectful political dialogue in the classroom.
It’s important to ensure students understand the basic concept of an inauguration. At its core, an inauguration is a formal ceremony marking the beginning of a new president’s term in office. Make students feel like they are there through a virtual field trip or streaming the actual inauguration. The inaugural speech, where the new president shares their vision for the country, is a key moment. Lines from past speeches, like Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” or John F. Kennedy’s “Ask not what your country can do for you,” still stand out because they resonated with listeners. Students can compare or analyze previous inaugural addresses. Use inaugural quizzes incorporating inauguration facts as actual quizzes or scavenger hunts. Classroom activities can be long or short, depending on how much time you devote to the inauguration.
The very first inauguration was simple, with Washington taking the oath in New York City. Over time, inaugurations have become more elaborate, including parades, balls, and concerts. The media coverage, especially with modern technology, ensures the event reaches a global audience. Students can study many interesting topics such as fashion, photography, primary sources, trivia, weather, music, art, poetry, and much more through the lens of the inauguration.
Teaching the inauguration can be an interesting and engaging classroom activity. For more information, check out TeachersFirst resources and previous blog posts.