CBC Digital Archives

Presidential Inaugurations: Jimmy Carter takes the oath

It takes 35 words to become president of the United States. The presidential inauguration ceremony marks the beginning of a new term in the Oval Office. CBC Digital Archives has selected reports from Washington, D.C. that capture the swearing in of a new president from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Barack Obama.

"We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles." President Jimmy Carter's inaugural address was is intentionally religious in tone. He talks about human rights and the need for a "just and peaceful world" that need not be "proven in combat." He believes that the real fight is against poverty, ignorance and injustice. As we hear in this clip, Carter also articulates his goal to "eliminate all nuclear weapons from this earth."
• In a small example of Southern charm, Carter was sworn in as "Jimmy Carter" even though his complete name is James Earl Carter, Jr. • Carter co-signed the SALT II (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) arms control treaty with Soviet leader, Leonid Brezhnev in 1979.

• Carter lost the 1980 election to Ronald Reagan, garnering only 41 per cent of the popular vote. Reagan won 91 per cent of the Electoral College vote.

Medium: Radio
Program: CBC Radio News Special
Broadcast Date: Jan. 20, 1977
Guest(s): Jimmy Carter
Anchor: Peter Kent
Commentator: Don McNeill
Reporter: Don Newman
Duration: 25:30
Photo: Carter White House Photographs Collection

Last updated: February 7, 2012

Page consulted on March 26, 2013

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