Watch CBS News

Was Obama The 44th President To Take The Oath?

(AP Photo)
There is much debate online over whether or not President Obama erred when he said, towards the beginning of his Inaugural Address, "Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath."

Though Hotsheet is still consulting its history books, it appears that the question ultimately rests with former President Grover Cleveland. Cleveland was both the 22nd and 24th president of the United States, from 1885–1889 and 1893–1897; he was the only president to serve two, non-consecutive terms.

President Obama's apparent error, then, is this: While Mr. Obama is the 44th president, he is only the 43rd American to take the oath – since Cleveland took it twice.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.