FYI: A \n Indiana gubernatorial inauguration elucidation

William Henry Harrison served as Indiana governor for 12 years. 

Oliver Perry Morton was the first Indiana governor actually born in Indiana.

Evan Bayh was named the youngest governor in American history in 1989.

What is a gubernatorial inauguration?

Similar to a presidential inauguration, a gubernatorial inauguration is the day the new governor takes an oath and gives a speech and officially begins. In some instances, as with Gov.-elect Mike Braun and former Gov. Eric Holcomb, a weekend of events including a gala and dinner takes place leading up to the inauguration.

What happens during the inauguration?

• The governor-elect and lieutenant governor-elect each raise their right hand with their left on a Bible, take an oath of office, and get sworn in by the chief of justice of Indiana. 

• Governors and lieutenant governors take this oath during their inauguration: “I, [name], do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Indiana and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of the office of (Governor, Lt. Governor, etc.) for the state of Indiana to the best of my skill and ability, so help me God.”

• The first ever inauguration oath originated back in 1789 when the first Congress of the United States began. The current state oath closely resembles the 1860s presidential oath drafted in the Civil War era by United States Congress members.

• Raising the right hand when taking an oath symbolizes truth telling and sincerity and has turned into a standard part of oath taking.

• Placing a hand on a Bible is not required, but when it is done, the left hand is used. Whomever is being sworn in has a choice of whether or not to use a Bible or another book. Former President George Washington was the first to start this tradition.

• Following the oath, the governor often gives a speech discussing hopes and ideas for their time in office, and the lieutenant governor-elect also gives a speech.

Inaugural gala

The start of this year’s gubernatorial inauguration weekend included a gala. 

“We are celebrating our next Gov. Mike Braun and his lovely wife, our new first lady, Maureen Braun,” Indiana State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla told WISH-TV. “Of course, we’re going to have a new lieutenant governor, Micah Beckwith, his wife, Susan, and then we’ve got Attorney General Rokita and his wife, Kathy. We’re celebrating these wins. It’s going to be just a great opportunity.” 

Fourth-grade attendees

In 1997, former Governor Frank O’Bannon invited fourth-grade students to his inauguration. This was the first time a governor had school children in attendance. He also made history by having 25,000 Hoosiers watching as he was sworn into office the second time in 2001.

Overtime

William Henry Harrison is a former territorial governor of Indiana who served for 12 years—governors now serve a maximum of eight years. In 1836, he ran for U.S. president and lost before winning in 1840. Unfortunately, Harrison had the shortest presidency in history due to passing away just one month after his inauguration in 1841.