Why is Obama being sworn in twice?

The U.S. Constitution states that the president is to be inaugurated January 20 of the year following his or her election. But what happens when that date falls on a Sunday?

It's been the case before - last with Ronald Reagan in 1985 - and will be again this weekend: The president will be sworn in twice.

At noon on Sunday, January 20 - the Constitutionally-mandated date - President Obama will be sworn in officially for his second term by Chief Justice John Roberts, in the Blue Room of the White House, surrounded by a small group of family and friends. On Monday comes the big celebration, replete with the inaugural speech, a parade, and, for spectators, a mock swearing-in.

• Chief Justice John Roberts to swear in Obama twice - again
• Obama to be sworn in with King, Lincoln Bibles

But the hundreds of thousands of people flocking to the capital for the big event this weekend better hope forecasters are right in predicting temperatures Sunday and Monday will hover just above freezing, warns CBS News correspondent Bill Plante. He's covered every inauguration since Jimmy Carter's in 1977, and was in the press corps covering Reagan's not-so-successful second inauguration.

After Reagan and then-Vice President George H.W. Bush took their oaths inside the White House on Sunday, January 20, 1985, they walked outside, where Plante said he was positioned on a platform with other reporters. "And they smiled and waved - no overcoats, it was about five above zero," he said. "And Reagan waved and looked around and said, 'Wow!' - meaning the weather."

As the day went on, Reagan and his staff insisted Monday's events would go as planned. But late on Sunday night, Plante remembered, "as the temperature was going around zero, they had to cancel the parade. Boy, were a lot of people upset.

"I mean, you had marching bands from high schools all over the country, kids who probably had bake sales to raise money to get to Washington, D.C., they couldn't perform," he continued. "Some of them did actually give a show at an inside armory the next day or the day after. But it was sad. There were people who had paid a hundred bucks or so for tickets for the grandstands along Pennsylvania Avenue to watch the parade go by. They were just completely out of luck."

Monday's swearing-in ceremony was moved inside, to the Capitol Rotunda, where only 1,000 people - mostly lawmakers and other officials - were able to attend.

"So the country saw two swearing-ins in 1985," Plante said. "One at the White House, one at the Capitol; neither one of them outside, and no parade."

[dcdinnell]

10.3 TRILLION Dollars National Debt. . . Jan2009, Obama begins first term as LEADER of the nation

16.1 TRILLION Dollars National Debt. . . Dec2012, Obama ends first term as LEADER of the nation

16.4 TRILLION Dollars National Debt. . . Jan2013, Obama begins second term as LEADER of nation

26 TRILLION Dollars National Debt at current rate of growth. . . Dec2016, Obama ends second term as LEADER of nation

[True Grissel]

I think the cost ought to be picked up by the campaign donations they received during the campaign and not by the American Public, All Who Favor Say I.

[cptdeuce]

I love how CBS goes back in these messages and removes any comment that is critical of the current president and administration. How pathetic can CBS be? Very pathetic. Journalism is a lost art within CBS and you are quickly falling to the bottom with NBC.

[R19_Stone]

I am a concerned individual. I have never believed in something I cannot investigate myself, therefore all conspiracies theories for me have always been just that, conspiracies. The Sandy Hook elementary shooting has raised many questions within me, and I feel offended by the lack of respect towards the intelligence of the American people by someone whom until now I considered an exceptional human being, and journalist. That man being Anderson Cooper. The first element of this mess that raised a concern(and with it Pandora's Box) was a video entitled "Gene Rosen's audition tape" in which the man whom CNN and other news media outlets are calling a hero is clearly rehearsing (and messing up) the lines which he would later use in the reports circulated in the news outlets. It is clear that there are many inconsistencies, and lies in regards to this tragedy. People like me have been discarded, and deemed derogatory names, just for asking the questions journalist are supposed to. It is because of that that I, in a responsible spirit ask Anderson to reconsider his position, and look into this matters with a true journalistic approach. There is a movement in motion and you can choose to be a part of the truth or go down in history as part of one of the biggest lies of my generation. Those children deserve peace as much as the American people deserve truth.

[YourRearViewMirror1]

jpcmca2003 replies:
I am in Texas...I welcome and support the Hispanic community..Many work for less money and thats unfortunate,but the put in long hours to make as much as they can without relying on welfare....

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Hey jpcmca2003,

Very soon, thanks to Hispanics, Texas will become a Solid-Solid Blue state much like CA, NY and MA. Right now, CA, NY and MA provide over 2/3 of all Electoral Votes required to win the Presidency.

I hope you are following my point. The Democratic Party has a Bright Shining Solid Future across America just around the corner. The Conservative Ideology will Raise the White Flag soon unless they change.

[YourRearViewMirror1]

jpcmca2003 replies:
My comment was directed at the contention that Republicans are against welfare....Nothing more!

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Hey jpcmca2003,

My comment was directed at the contention that Republicans are also against Unions.

[YourRearViewMirror1]

....Nothing more!

[peter_out]

Obama will make another gun speech this time with a backdrop of little Mexican children all who wrote Obama letters requesting him to please walk some more AK47s into Mexico for the cartel.

[YourRearViewMirror1]

Hey Peter_Out,

When are you going to seek treatment for your Sick Addiction to Illegal Narcotic Dopes so Mexican can prosper in peace once again?

[YourRearViewMirror1]

jpcmca2003 replies: linkicon reporticon emailicon Your contention,Rafterman, is that Republicans are against the poor and welfare...Thats absolutely false!..Do you agree with your tax dollars going to someone that is very capable of finding a job but elects to take handouts for 20 years?...Do you agree with your tax dollars going to a mother that can hardly take care of one kid but decides to pop out 3 more??...Thats not hate or racism...its called accountability!

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Hey jpcmca2003,

Please continue to blame the 47% while American Corporations export millions and millions of good pay Manufacturing and Professional jobs.

It is Amazing how Conservatives work hard to Eliminate Unions so that American Businesses can pay Slave Salaries to Americans. Then, they do not understand why so many more Americans Qualify now for Full Welfare assistance such as Food Stamps, etc.

[jpcmca2003]

My comment was directed at the contention that Republicans are against welfare....Nothing more!

[YourRearViewMirror1]

pcmca2003 replies:

Yep and only intolerant Leftists call Conservatives Racist!

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Hey pcmca2003,

Are you a Proud Confederate from the Deep South where the Electoral Votes are InSignificant during the General Presidential Elections?

[YourRearViewMirror1]

Hey pcmac2003,

Incidentally, Conservatives Racist will disappear soon when the Hispanics Ethnic Group have Absolute Politcal Powers by 2032 according to many recent U.S. Government reports. Afterwards, we are going to hear a lot of Reverse Affirmative Action.

[jpcmca2003]

No I am actually in Texas...Though most of you want to mock this state as well....and its the shame you think the South is insignificant...There are a lot of very nice people down there...You should try to learn from them instead of mock them..Contrary to most uppidity lib posters here,the South and Texas are not a bunch of "trailer-living, inbred, idiots!....Very clueless!

[YourRearViewMirror1]

cptdeuce replies:
Obama is called the Hypocrite In Chief for a reason. Be careful with logical questions around here because you will be met with hatred and calls of racism.

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Hey cytrdeuce,

So, you are another member of 'The Biggest Loser' club as of Nov 6, 2012 at 8PM EST?

[jpcmca2003]

cptdeuce's point made exactly!

[Cowmpound]

Why is the President of the United States called a hypocrite by you?