Wednesday, December 24, 2008
The Bible was last used for the presidential inauguration of 1861.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
KAILUA, Hawaii — When he places his hand on a Bible to be sworn into office Jan. 20, Barack Obama plans to use the holy book used by Abraham Lincoln at his first inauguration in 1861.
The selection maintains the Obama practice of encouraging historical comparisons with the 16th president, who was the first from Illinois and one of the next president’s longtime favorites.
In announcing his presidential bid in February 2007, Obama picked the Old State Capitol in Springfield, where Lincoln had served. He also plans to follow Lincoln’s example by taking a train to Washington for his inauguration.
Obama will be the first president since Lincoln to use this particular Bible, which is typically housed at the Library of Congress. The book was not the Lincoln family Bible, which was packed away among family belongings that were being shipped from Springfield.
The Bible was originally purchased by William Thomas Carroll, clerk of the Supreme Court, for use during Lincoln’s swearing-in ceremony on March 4, 1861. Obama’s inauguration committee described the Bible as being bound in burgundy velvet, heavily gilded and published in 1853 by the Oxford University Press.
Incoming presidents are not required to be sworn in on a Bible. Most have done so, however, often using their family Bible.