Ronald Reagan sworn in as 40th President of the United States, George H.W. Bush as 43rd VP 40 years ago this hour (Jan 20 1981)

1980s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'NBC NEWS INAUGURATION 1981 - 10:00 A.M E.T - 2:59 P.M E.T'

(Tuesday, January 20, 1981, 11:57 a.m. EST) — Promising “an era of national renewal,” former California Governor Ronald Reagan, 68, was inaugurated today as the 40th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., with Chief Justice Warren E. Burger administering the oath of office.

A few minutes earlier, at 11:50 a.m. EST, former CIA Director George H.W. Bush, 56, of Texas was inaugurated as the 43rd vice president of the United States.

Reagan and Bush, both Republicans, had defeated the Democratic ticket of incumbent President Jimmy Carter and Vice President Walter Mondale in the November 1980 general election.