I have always believed that the phrase"so help me God" was
added by George Washington after he had taken the oath at his
1st swearing in ceremony as president. Thomas Jefferson, then
the Secretary of State had written the oath,without any mention
of the word God, Washington felt there should be a mention of
God and without telling jefferson or anyone took the oath and
then added "so help me "God" jefferson was rather upset with
this but Washington had started a tradition and that tradition
is still followed today.
John Pecciaof MD7:04PM January 16, 2009
thanks to this website it was easy to learn every thing i know
hayleyof FL2:18PM January 14, 2009
i got a o the first time but hten a 12
CCCof DC1:54PM January 07, 2009
In spite of the many sources that claim that George Washington added "So help me God" to his presidential oath, there is no contemporary or subsequent firsthand historical account to support this claim. The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies under the direction of the Senate Rules Committee has been among the most flagrant promoters of this legendary claim.
Furthermore, a rigorous examination through newspaper archives shows that from the time of George Washington through to the time of Herbert Hoover nearly all presidents recited the presidential oath just as prescribed by the constitution. It is only since FDR's first inauguration in 1933 that all presidents have added "So help me God" after first being asked to do so by a federal judge.
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of 3:57PM January 20, 2009
YESBAMA of MI 2:29PM January 20, 2009
of 1:58PM January 20, 2009
John Peccia of MD 7:04PM January 16, 2009
hayley of FL 2:18PM January 14, 2009
CCC of DC 1:54PM January 07, 2009
Ray Soller of GA 11:45PM December 22, 2008