In 1841, William Henry Harrison gave an 8,445 word inaugural address. clocking in at one hour and forty-five minutes.
Harrison died a month later of pneumonia and is barely remembered as a president of the United States.
Lesson: Keep it pithy.
In 1793, George Washington's second inaugural address was 135 words, the shortest ever. It takes approximately two minutes to recite or read.
Monuments, states, and the nation's capital are named for him. Washington appears on currency and Mount Rushmore as well.
Lesson: Keep it pithy.
Is there a correlation between the length of inauguration speeches and worthiness as president?
The facts speak for themselves.
As it is inauguration day, here is the speech Washington wrote for his second inauguration, in a time when presidents prepared and wrote their thoughts.
Fellow Citizens:
I am again called upon by the voice of my country to execute the functions of its Chief Magistrate. When the occasion proper for it shall arrive, I shall endeavor to express the high sense I entertain of this distinguished honor, and of the confidence which has been reposed in me by the people of united America.
Previous to the execution of any official act of the President the Constitution requires an oath of office. This oath I am now about to take, and in your presence: That if it shall be found during my administration of the Government I have in any instance violated willingly or knowingly the injunctions thereof, I may (besides incurring constitutional punishment) be subject to the upbraidings of all who are now witnesses of the present solemn ceremony.
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