Inauguration Trip-ups, Oddities and Excesses

Among the more opulent celebrations revolving around the inauguration of President Bill Clinton in 1997, the Grand Hyatt hotel offered a $53,000 package that included a private jet, presidential suite and a replica of the inaugural gown worn by Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961. — Bettmann/Corbis

Department of wretched excess

For President Clinton's 1997 inauguration, Washington's Ritz-Carlton hotel offered a four-night package in its presidential suite, complete with 24-hour butler service, a chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce and a champagne-and-caviar dinner for 12 in the suite's private dining room. Price: $30,000. Not to be outdone, the Grand Hyatt offered up a $53,000 package that included four days in one of its presidential suites, transportation to and from Washington in a private jet, 12 hours of limousine service each day, a pair of tickets to all 14 inaugural balls, a reception for 30 (complete with string quartet) and — for the first taker — a replica of the inaugural gown worn by Jacqueline Kennedy.

President Ulysses S. Grant celebrated his second inauguration in 1873 by indulging in fine foods, including 150 pounds of lobster. — Maarten Wouters/Getty Images

Inaugural indulgences

Ulysses S. Grant's second inauguration, in 1873, hit some gastronomic high notes. Among the items ordered for a feast at the inaugural ball: 8,000 pickled oysters, 150 pounds of boiled lobster and 24 cases of Prince Albert crackers.

A rose is a rose is a rose?

Inaugural balls were untainted by commercialism until 1889 and Benjamin Harrison. Guests at his inaugural ball were given a rose laced with perfume, provided by a clever entrepreneur who wanted ball goers to know that his scent could make even a rose smell better.

Hot and cold

Ronald Reagan's first inauguration, in 1981, was the warmest on record, with a noon temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit. His second, with a noon temperature of 7 degrees Fahrenheit, was the coldest on record — so cold, in fact, that planners were forced to cancel most outdoor events and have Reagan deliver his inaugural address in the Capitol Rotunda.

Cheapest inauguration

Of $25,000 appropriated by Congress, Franklin Roosevelt returned all but $526.02 to the Treasury for his fourth inauguration in 1945. The only expense was a White House luncheon with members of Congress, and the menu was nothing special: cold chicken salad, rolls (with no butter) and cake (with no frosting).

Best exit line

Exiting President Woodrow Wilson, at the conclusion of Warren G. Harding's swearing-in ceremony in 1921, shook hands with the new president and his running mate, Calvin Coolidge. Wilson then turned to his wife, Edith, and asked, "Are you ready to scoot?"

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