President Barack Obama
On Tuesday, January 20, we as a nation will experience
history in the making with the inauguration of
our 44th and first African-American President, Barack Obama.
The Social Studies Department at William S. Hackett Middle School
will give our students the opportunity to view this historical event.
We will show the ceremony as it takes place and celebrate
this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Please remind your child of the importance of this experience
and what their responsibility will be in order to participate.
•
•
Our scheduled activities will include:
HMS Music Department – “The National Anthem” and “ I Believe I Can Fly”
Essay Readings – “What the Inauguration Means to Me” by Justin Santos and
“What Freedom Means to Me” by Kitty Sharp
• Creative Writing/Hip-Hop Club Presentation
• Student Government Presentation
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the
best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Inauguration Day Fun Facts:
• George Washington gave the shortest inaugural address in history. It was a mere 135 words.
• Abraham Lincoln was the first president to include African-Americans in his 1865 inaugural parade. It took
another 52 years for women to be included when Woodrow Wilson had his second inaugural parade in 1917.
• Ronald Reagan’s 1981 inauguration fell on the warmest Inaugural Day in history; it was 55 degrees in
Washington, D.C. He then broke another record by having his 1985 inauguration on the coldest day in
inaugural history; it was 7 degrees.
• Bill Clinton was the first president to have his inauguration broadcast on the Web.