What Is 2nd Inauguration of Barack Obama

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The second inauguration of Barack Obama took place on January 21, 2013, marking the official start of his second four-year term as the 44th President of the United States. The public ceremony occurred at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., following the constitutional requirement that a president be sworn in on January 20, which fell on a Sunday in 2013.

Key Facts

Inauguration date: January 21, 2013 (public ceremony)
Barack Obama was sworn in as president for the second time at the U.S. Capitol
Chief Justice John G. Roberts administered the oath of office
Over 1 million people attended the public inauguration events in Washington, D.C.
Obama’s second inaugural address lasted approximately 18 minutes and was 2,137 words long

Overview

The second inauguration of Barack Obama marked the commencement of his second and final term as President of the United States. Held on January 21, 2013, the public ceremony followed a private swearing-in the previous day, January 20, in accordance with the U.S. Constitution, which mandates presidential terms begin at noon on January 20.

This inauguration was notable for its emphasis on civil rights, climate change, and social justice in Obama’s address. The day included parades, speeches, and public celebrations, drawing an estimated crowd of over 1 million people to the National Mall.

January 20, 2013 was the official start of Obama’s second term, but the public ceremony occurred the next day due to the date falling on a Sunday.
Chief Justice John G. Roberts administered the oath of office during a private ceremony at the White House on January 20, as required by law.
The public inauguration on January 21, 2013, featured a formal swearing-in at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, attended by dignitaries and the public.
Over 1 million people gathered on the National Mall, making it one of the largest gatherings for a presidential inauguration in U.S. history.
Obama’s inaugural address, 2,137 words long, emphasized equality, climate action, and the legacy of the civil rights movement.

How the Inauguration Process Works

The U.S. presidential inauguration is a constitutionally mandated event that formally installs the president for a new term, combining ceremonial tradition with legal requirements.

Term: A presidential term lasts exactly four years, beginning at noon on January 20 following the election. Obama’s second term ran from January 20, 2013, to January 20, 2017.
Constitutional requirement: The 20th Amendment specifies that presidential terms begin at noon on January 20, regardless of when the public ceremony is held.
Private swearing-in: When January 20 falls on a Sunday, the president takes the oath privately, followed by a public ceremony the next day, as occurred in 2013.
Chief Justice role: The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court traditionally administers the oath, as John G. Roberts did for both of Obama’s inaugurations.
Location: The public swearing-in occurred at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, a site used for many modern inaugurations due to its symbolic significance.
Inaugural address: Obama’s speech lasted 18 minutes and was one of the most progressive in tone, calling for action on gun control, LGBTQ+ rights, and environmental policy.
Public participation: The day included a parade, official balls, and community events, with official attendance estimates exceeding 1 million people.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing Obama’s two inaugurations reveals shifts in tone, attendance, and national context.

Feature	First Inauguration (2009)	Second Inauguration (2013)
Date	January 20, 2009	January 21, 2013
Attendance	~1.8 million	~1.1 million
Oath Administered By	John G. Roberts	John G. Roberts
Speech Length	2,633 words	2,137 words
Key Themes	Hope, unity, economic recovery	Civil rights, climate change, gun control

While the first inauguration drew a record crowd amid historic excitement over the first Black president, the second event was more subdued but thematically bold. Obama used the 2013 address to advocate for progressive policies, reflecting the evolving challenges of his presidency, including partisan gridlock and national tragedies like the Sandy Hook shooting.

Why It Matters

Obama’s second inauguration was a pivotal moment in modern American political history, symbolizing both continuity and a call for transformative change.

Historic milestone: Obama became the first African American president to be re-elected and inaugurated for a second term.
Policy direction: The speech laid the groundwork for advocacy on climate change legislation and immigration reform during his final term.
Social progress: Obama explicitly mentioned LGBTQ+ rights, linking them to the legacy of the civil rights movement.
Public engagement: Over 1 million attendees demonstrated sustained public interest in democratic participation.
Media reach: The event was streamed globally, with over 10 million online viewers, highlighting the digital expansion of civic events.
Legacy impact: The inauguration solidified Obama’s role as a transformative figure in 21st-century American politics.

Ultimately, the second inauguration of Barack Obama was not just a ceremonial event but a platform for defining the values and priorities of his administration’s final chapter.