Inauguration Days

Inauguration Day has been with the American political system since the inception of the presidency.  Americans now, like then, expect the president to be sworn in and make a speech, and the vast majority of presidents have met these obligations.  (The Buck-the-Trend Award goes to Gerald Ford, who, after assuming the presidency from Watergate-stricken Richard Nixon, did not have an inauguration and went out of his way to make "not an inaugural address...just a little straight talk among friends".)

Modern Americans also expect the inauguration to go well and without a hitch, with the pinnacle of concern being whether the selected pop star will butcher the "and the rockets' red glare" portion of the National Anthem.  A brief look at inaugurations past prove this was not always the case.  Here are three instances of inaugurations gone haywire.  History can't make this stuff up.

Option 1:  Stood Up By Predecessor

 Versus

It's well-known that staunch Federalist and second president of the United States John Adams had no love for Thomas Jefferson, who narrowly edged out Adams in an election so contentious historians refer to it as the "Revolution of 1800".  Jefferson's inauguration set the stage for future ceremonies in many ways:  it was held in Washington, D.C. with the Marine band present, and the full text of his address was made available in the press.  But one aspect would not become tradition.  Adams did not attend the inauguration, instead returning to his native Massachusetts at the end of his term.  Ten years would pass until Adams and Jefferson reconciled, and they maintained a friendship the rest of their lives, famously dying on the same day:  July 4, 1826.

Option 2:  Raucous Party Nearly Destroys White House

"President's Levee, or all Creation going to the White House", Library of Congress

Andrew Jackson has quite a few claims to fame, and not all of them are well-received today:  he ordered the removal of Native Americans from the Southeast resulting in the deadly Trail of Tears, was an outspoken supporter of the expansion of slavery, and went on a mission to destroy the National Bank, which then caused an economic depression.  But he was also an amusing figure who wanted to expand political participation.  In the ultimate "let them eat cake" moment in American history, Jackson's inaugural reception was essentially crashed by a largely drunken public.  Jackson himself made a quick escape to a nearby quiet inn, while White House staff lured the partygoers from the premises with alcoholic punch.

Option 3:  Deliver Inaugural Address to Warring Pseudo-Nation 

"Inauguration of Mr. Lincoln", March 4, 1861, Library of Congress

History has not always been kind to Abraham Lincoln.  Sure, he got a memorial in D.C., but he's also stuck on the penny and historians can't decide whether to focus on his ineffectual Emancipation Proclamation or his tendency to suspend habeas corpus. But the present wasn't necessarily kind to Lincoln, either.  Aside from the obvious assassination unluckiness, Lincoln was set to inherit a nation deeply divided -- until South Carolina decided to secede and make it actually divided in December 1860.  Lincoln's inaugural address in early March of 1861 addressed the leaders of the newly-formed Confederacy directly, telling them, "We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection."  Affection didn't win the day, and Lincoln's second inaugural address reflected the loss and sadness of a nation in civil war, which he lived just long enough to see end.