Lincoln's Bible Used in Obama's Inauguration (pics)

After 147 years since Lincoln sworn into office, Obama placed his hand upon the same burgundy velvet-bound Bible that Lincoln used as he is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States.

Presidents are not constitutionally required to be sworn in using a Bible, though most do, Theodore Roosevelt being the most notable exception. George Washington’s Bible has been a popular choice, used by Warren Harding, Dwight Eisenhower and George H. W. Bush. Other presidents have opted for Bibles that hold more personal significance, such as Bill Clinton’s choice of his grandmother’s Bible.

Since Lincoln’s family Bible was still en route from Springfield, IL, at the time of his inauguration, Supreme Court Clerk William Thomas Carroll purchased a Bible for the swearing-in ceremony in 1861. President-elect Obama will be the first president to be sworn in using this Bible since Abraham Lincoln.

Source: Inaugural Blog - President-elect Barack Obama to be Sworn in Using Lincoln’s Bible

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