Andy's Inauguration Trivia

The following is a weekly 60 Minutes commentary by CBS News correspondent Andy Rooney.

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The inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama takes place on January 20. I've collected a few facts about inaugurations. Maybe you can surprise your friends with them.

The first president to ride in a car at his inauguration was Warren Harding in 1921. The thing I read didn't say what kind of a car he rode in. I think I remember it as a Packard, although it may have been a Hupmobile - maybe or even REO.

The first inauguration broadcast on radio was Calvin Coolidge's in 1925. That may have been the most interesting thing Coolidge ever did.

Harry Truman had the first televised inauguration in 1949. I don't know how many television sets there were in 1949. I know we didn't have one yet. I think we got ours in 1951. My father used to sit in front of it and watch anything they put on. Some people still do, of course.

My favorite President Dwight D. Eisenhower's first inauguration lasted the longest. He had 73 bands and floats and horses and what they called "pachyderms" - elephants. It lasted more than four hours.

Obama will be the 44th President of the United States and this will be the 56th formal inauguration. Fifteen presidents were elected to a second term, and in Roosevelt's case to a third and fourth term of course.

I went to Jimmy Carter's inauguration in 1977. What I remember most was how cold it was - one of the coldest days Washington ever had. It was seven degrees on Pennsylvania Avenue. I remember that well. I had to buy a down coat. I think CBS paid for this coat and I still wear it. Should I have given that back?

I don't remember if I actually attended Richard Nixon's first inaugural but I did come across a 1969 Presidential inauguration license plate so I must have been there. Some things you'd rather forget.

I know there are a limited number of inaugural tickets but I'm hoping mine is in the mail. If it comes, maybe I'll sell it to someone who wants to go.












Written by Andy Rooney

[catlady1412]

I''m sure Andy is only saying he doesn''t want to go because he is old and the weather will likely be very cold. Geez, how touchy have people become? It is not racism to want to stay out of the cold! It will be horribly crowded, there will be lines everywhere and hours standing and waiting. I am happy to watch it on TV and I am not even old!

[namatoke]

OSOID9,people do not forget his mother is white, nor do they forget that his father is an african. But if you go through African American history, you will understand that even if you are half white ad half black, you are always considered black because of the one drop rule, which still exists in America in the 21st century. Please read about your history white and black.

[osiod9]

How is it that everyone ignors the fact that Obamas mother is white, and claims him as the ''first African American'' president? Last I heard, each parent contributes half of the DNA, so just because it waddles like a duck, and quacks like a duck, doesnt necessarily mean its a duck.

[steveyc272]

I posted before, however liberal CBS moderators were quick to take it down...I am proud that Andy had the courage to state publicly that he did not want to attend on Jan. 20th. I would not either. It will not be a historic day, it will be an extremely scary day in America. We will be showing the world our weak stance on terrorism and our country will become much more vulnerable. Anyone that would call Andy a racist for this statement is just blinded by their liberal ignorance. It is these people that are criticizing that are making Andy''s lack of desire to attend a racial issue, not him.

[namatoke]

Altardee, by your comment , i can tell that you do not have any emotional attachment to what will be a historic event on January 20th. Do you truly know what it means to have the first black man as President of the United States? If you trully understood this, then you would know how big a deal Andy Rooney''s comments were, to many of his audience members. Do not patronize anyone on this forum by telling us we are making a big deal out of nothing. It is not nothing but something great many thought would never happen but change came and on Jan 20th the First black President will be sworn in.

[namatoke]

this comment is to Andy''s supporters jeepboyx9 and violets4me. Jeepboyx9, please read through your comments before you post them! I mean your written english is so poor!
Violets4me, why not just invite that old hag Rooney to your house on January 20th,it seems you both have a lot in common when it comes to President Elect Obama.

[altardee]

If Andy doesn''t want to go to the inauguration, it is his prerogative to stay home!!! It is still a free country I believe, and assuming that not attending means disapproval of the election results, is ridiculas. Please folks, get a life, and stop making stupid assumptions.

[jeepboyx9]

i saw nothing direspectful in andy''s closing comments, consider, he is 90 years old. posibly he no linger cares about travel to DC. by his comments, he has no attende the inaugs. regularly. also he did not state one racist or discourtious thing. about Obama.if you wish a antagonous statement, i''ll give you one. i would not of gone to that texus b.......''s inaug. if i had been offered a ride on AF one to get there.

[jeepboyx9]

i don''t see it as such an honor to get a ticket to the was. blast, as an average citizen, i''ll see it better on the boob tube. if i decide to view it at all. in regard to andy;s comment, you know going in, his comments will be generaly acerbic.but seldom disrespectful. he trys to give us a little different take on the subject of this minute. just relax and consider the comments. disagree if you wish to, i do not believe that andy would think less of you for it. just remember, When the opinions of two people totally agree, only the opinion of one is needed.

[ajr010]

Besides, Andy comments made about the inauguration. Could someone tell Andy to trim his eyebrows?


P.S. I''ll take the ticket