The only constitutionally mandated event on Inauguration Day is for the president-elect to take the oath of office. But on the first Inauguration Day, in 1789, George Washington did something else.

He gave a speech.

Every president since has followed his example and delivered an inaugural address as part of the national celebration.

These addresses are more than just a series of individual speeches. Rhetoric scholars Karlyn Kohrs Campbell and Kathleen Hall Jamieson argue that each inaugural address is not simply marking one stage in the ritual of political transition. Each is also part of a genre that has characteristics which, at some level, are expected and understood by speakers and audiences. There have been 59 inaugural addresses, starting with Washington, and while they may have differed in style and even specific subjects, virtually all feature these characteristics, which range from calls to unify the country to setting forth political principles.

The political history collections at the National Museum of American History, where I am a curator specializing in the history of presidential campaigns and campaign rhetoric, include several objects that illustrate these characteristics.

Exploring the genre of inaugural addresses through quotations and objects from the past can help listeners better understand the opening speech of a new administration, the first act in a job that began with the taking of the oath.

(Re)Unification of the audience

Inaugurations serve as the transition point between the competition of a campaign and the needs of an administration beginning to govern. For the audience to properly fulfill their role as witnesses to this investiture of power, they must be unified and reconstituted as “we the people.”

In the words of political scientist Lee Sigelman, these speeches are “literally brimming with verbal tokens of unity.”

There are references to our founders, our nation and the future we face. In 1957, Dwight Eisenhower spoke of the purposes “to which we, as a people, are pledged,” and Benjamin Harrison called his 1889 inaugural moment a “mutual covenant” between himself and the people. George W. Bush in 2001 united his listeners, saying, “Americans are generous and strong and decent, not because we believe in ourselves but because we hold beliefs beyond ourselves.”

Thomas Jefferson’s first inaugural in 1801 may have been the most explicit: “We have called by different names brethren of the same principle. We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists.”

Reaffirmation of national values

New presidents must also establish their qualifications for the office by demonstrating they understand and will preserve the shared values that are key to what Bill Clinton in 1993 called “the very idea of America.”

These traditional values are expressed in words such as freedom, liberty, democracy and courage. In 1981, Ronald Reagan reminded the audience, “Freedom and the dignity of the individual have been more available and assured here than in any other place on Earth. Jimmy Carter in 1977 summarized these values into “our belief in an undiminished, ever-expanding American dream.”

Setting forth political principles

Unlike many other presidential addresses, most notably the State of the Union, the inaugural does not advocate specific legislation but rather articulates more general philosophies that will guide a new administration. When policies are offered, they are less a call for action than a demonstration of a president’s commitment to the democratic system.

In 1845, James Polk promoted his “plain and frugal” economic plans because he said a national debt “is incompatible with the ends for which our republican Government was instituted.” Herbert Hoover said that the policies he listed in his 1929 address would be tested against the “ideals and aspirations of America.”

Even William Howard Taft, whose 1909 inaugural was among the most policy specific, framed his ideas with respect to the “proper” role of the federal government “in what it can and ought to accomplish for its people.”

Enacting the presidential role

Candidates give speeches that are, for obvious reasons, partisan and self-promoting. But when the campaign ends and governing begins, presidents must demonstrate an understanding of their role within the broader system.

In his first inaugural in 1933, Franklin Roosevelt moved out of campaign mode and acknowledged the constraints on his “leadership of frankness and vigor.” He pledged to rely on his “constitutional duty” to work with Congress.

Rhetoric scholars Campbell and Jamieson add that these speeches must also enact the “public, symbolic role of president of all the people” by revealing traits such as humility and reliance on a higher power. A typical example is found in the conclusion of Warren Harding’s 1921 address: “I accept my part with single-mindedness of purpose and humility of spirit, and implore the favor and guidance of God in His Heaven. With these I am unafraid, and confidently face the future.”

Fulfilling ceremonial expectations

Because of the celebration that surrounds them, inaugural addresses are expected to reflect stylized, ceremonial speaking. Such speeches strive to reach beyond the immediate situation to evoke timeless themes using memorable phrases.

In 1961, John Kennedy challenged Americans across the decades to “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” The phrases “mystic chords of memory” and “better angels of our nature,” among the most memorable words in presidential rhetoric, have been applied to countless situations since Abraham Lincoln first uttered them in 1861.

Not all inaugural addresses achieve greatness. Some have been quite forgettable. But each of them has tried to fulfill these expectations, helping to sustain what Franklin Roosevelt in his second inaugural called “our covenant with ourselves.”

Dre Morris scored a game-high 27 points, and No. 1 Rainier Beach won the rematch of last year’s WIAA Class 3A championship game with a 99-72 victory Monday over reigning state champion Eastside Catholic.

Jaylen Petty and Kaden Powers added 23 points apiece as the Vikings built a 24-5 lead just 4:43 into the game.

The two programs met at 7:30 p.m. Pacific time.. A live feed is available on NFHS Network (subscription only).

SBLive is tracking scores across the state of Washington through Week 9. Stay with us for the latest score and game updates from pregame to teardown. Refresh this post and scroll down for the latest.

FINAL: RAINIER BEACH 99,. EASTSIDE CATHOLIC 72

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

FOURTH QUARTER

Beach 99, Eastside Catholic 72: Morris led all scorers with 27 points. Petty and Power had 23 apiece to round out Viks’ scoring. Dawson and Aklog led Crusaders with 19 points apiece.

THIRD QUARTER

Beach 68, Eastside Catholic 54: Dawson has kept Crusaders within earshot with his perimeter shooting, nailing a pair of 3s. But Powers picked it back up with 9 in quarter.

SECOND QUARTER

Beach 51, Eastside Catholic 35: Petty got going with seven points, including first FG at 4:13 mark.

FIRST QUARTER

Beach 34, Eastside Catholic 17: Viks start on 24-5 run, making their first three 3-pointers. Morris had 17 points in quarter.

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About Rainier Beach

Key players— G Dre Morris, G Jayden Petty, G Kaden Powers,

About Eastside Catholic

Key players— F Yabi Aklog, G Dash Ingram, F Achilles Reyna.

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The last five years have been tough for the Washington Nationals and their fan base.

After winning the World Series in 2019, the team has entered into a lengthy teardown and rebuild which has resulted in a lot of losing on the field. The 71 games they have won the last two campaigns is the most since that championship, proving just how brutal things have been.

But, the light at the tunnel moves near as things are beginning to look up for the Nationals.

While it is easy to say they didn’t have enough success based on their amount of wins, what was important is that they got a glimpse into what the future looks like with so many young players getting ample playing time and thriving, providing optimism.

A talented young core has emerged for the team to build upon as its foundation.

Part of that group is an outfield consisting of 22-year-old James Wood, 25-year-old Jacob Young and 22-year-old Dylan Crews.

All three made their Major League debuts during the 2024 season to varying amounts of success.

Wood immediately took over as the everyday left fielder, providing a spark at the plate. Only scratching the surface of his potential, he can turn into an annual 30/30 threat with his rare combination of size and athleticism.

Young didn’t provide a ton at the plate but is already an above-average producer with his elite defense. As a rookie, he was a Gold Glove finalist.

Crews, the No. 2 pick in the 2023 draft, has all the tools to become a star.

He didn’t produce as well as Wood did after his promotion but he has the inside track to the starting right field job on Opening Day 2025.

Living up to expectations is one of the biggest questions Washington has remaining this offseason in the opinion of Jim Bowden of The Athletic.

There will be some pressure on them to perform, as another wave of youngsters is knocking on the door of the Major Leagues.

One of them, Robert Hassell III, came back with a vengeance in the Arizona Fall League, regaining confidence after injuries derailed his career. He was the top prospect of the San Diego Padres at the time he was included in the blockbuster trade package to land Juan Soto.

He will be looking to prove himself during Spring Training along with another youngster; third baseman Brady House.

While the Nationals did a good job of upgrading at first base, the other corner infield spot needs help.

Will they turn to him as the Opening Day starter despite having only 278 games of professional experience under his belt?

If he proves to be ready for the role, they might as well roll him out there since he has been a consensus top 100 prospect for two years in a row and will be again in 2025.