The U.S. Constitution enshrines the peaceful transfer of power every four years for an incoming administration to lead the executive branch of the federal government. At noon on Monday, January 20, 2025, President Donald J. Trump took the oath of office at the 60th presidential inauguration ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Until 1933, there was a four-month lag between the November elections and Inauguration Day. Ratification of the 20th amendment changed the original calendar dates from March 4 to January 20, starting with the second inauguration of our 32nd president, Franklin D. Roosevelt. More U.S. presidents have been inaugurated in March (36) than in January (23), George Washington’s first inauguration was pushed to the spring due to delays in organizing the new government. Others took the oath of office immediately following the death or resignation of their predecessors.

Throughout my lifetime, presidential inauguration ceremonies have taken place in January at the U.S. Capitol. It’s an honor for me to attend presidential inaugurations on behalf of Iowans and bear witness to history. As a member of the Iowa federal congressional delegation since 1975, I’ve attended every inauguration since President Jimmy Carter, with the exception of President Bill Clinton’s second inauguration. Each time, I’m struck by our uniquely American transition set in place by the founders.

After an eight-year battle for independence from the British Crown and a few rocky years operating under the Articles of Confederation, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention knew the American experiment hung in the balance. They needed to weave a national charter to keep the original 13 states stitched together into one enduring republic, with a roadmap for expansion. They recognized the imperfections, yet strived to “form a more perfect Union,” setting forth a vision for America in a 52-word Preamble: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Since the nation’s first presidential inauguration on April 30, 1789 in New York City, certain traditions and customs have become precedent. For example, while George Washington repeated the words inscribed in Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution, “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States,” he also kissed the Bible and reportedly ad-libbed, “So help me God.” This would be followed by many of his successors. President Washington also set expectations by delivering an inaugural address. The inaugural parade became an official tradition with President James Madison in 1809. President John F. Kennedy was the last to wear a stovepipe hat.

On Inauguration Day, the incoming president takes the oath of office, administered by the Chief Justice of the United States at the U.S. Capitol, symbolizing the three branches of government in service to the American people. The pomp and circumstance of the ceremony, parade and inaugural balls are rooted in tradition and deliver what the American people have come to expect. Despite our divisions and differences, our American experiment endures with the peaceful transfer of presidential power.

In his first inaugural address, President Ronald Reagan noted the routine, yet extraordinary American moment, “In the eyes of many in the world, this every-four-year ceremony we accept as normal, is nothing less than a miracle.” The inaugural speeches reflect the mood of the public and mandates made by voters on Election Day. The miracle President Reagan referenced in 1981 continued once again at the 2025 presidential inaugural ceremony.

Notably, President Trump made a historic comeback to the White House, becoming only the second U.S. president to serve non-consecutive terms. President Grover Cleveland was the nation’s 22nd and 24th president in the late 19th century. President Trump’s second inauguration was the 12th inaugural ceremony I’ve attended. Like President Reagan’s second inauguration, the ceremony was moved indoors due to frigid temperatures.

More than two centuries after our nation’s first presidential inauguration, we are a nation of more than 330 million people striving to form “a more perfect Union,” warts and all. As President Clinton said in his first inaugural address: “There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.” Presidential inaugurations give us reason to celebrate our enduring republic. Contrary to those who fear political divisions are poisoning our civic life, this quadrennial ritual taking place at the home of the people’s branch evokes patriotism and hope in America.

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Chuck Grassley, a Republican from New Hartford,

represents Iowa in the U.S. Senate.