User:Erp/Sandbox Poems and Music at inaugural ceremonies (US presidential)

Poetry

Incoming United States presidents have sometimes had poets read at their inaugural ceremonies.

1961 inaugural of John F. Kennedy

• Robert Frost recited "The Gift Outright" though he intended to read a poem written for the occasion, "Dedication".

1977 Jimmy Carter

• James Dickey recited "The Strength of Fields" at the gala but not at the ceremony

1993 William Clinton

• Maya Angelou recited "On the Pulse of Morning"

1997 William Clinton

• Miller Williams recited "Of History and Hope"

2009 Obama

• Elizabeth Alexander

http://features.csmonitor.com/books/2008/12/20/obama-chooses-his-poet/ http://www.teachervision.fen.com/poetry/lesson-plan/4414.html http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/25/books/25poet.html

Singing

1997 Jessye Norman

2005 Susan Graham the 1927 hymn "Bless This House"

2009 Aretha Franklin