<P> On the eight occasions where the new president succeeded to the office upon their predecessor's death intra-term, none gave an address, but each did address Congress soon thereafter . When Gerald Ford became president in 1974, following the resignation of Richard Nixon, he addressed the nation after taking the oath, but he characterized his speech as "Not an inaugural address, not a fireside chat, not a campaign speech--just a little straight talk among friends ." (Full text) </P> <P> Since 1937, the ceremony has incorporated one or more prayers . Since 1933 an associated prayer service either public or private attended by the President - elect has often taken place on the morning of the day . At times a major public or broadcast prayer service takes place after the main ceremony most recently on the next day . </P> <P> Five inaugural ceremonies since 1961 have included a reading by a poet . The following poetry readings have taken place: </P> <Ul> <Li> 1961 inauguration of John F. Kennedy: Robert Frost read his poem "The Gift Outright" </Li> <Li> 1993 First inauguration of Bill Clinton: Maya Angelou read her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" </Li> <Li> 1997 second inauguration of Bill Clinton: Miller Williams read his poem "Of History and Hope" </Li> <Li> 2009 first inauguration of Barack Obama: Elizabeth Alexander read her poem "Praise Song for the Day" </Li> <Li> 2013 second inauguration of Barack Obama: Richard Blanco read his poem "One Today" </Li> </Ul>

In what us state was a president not sworn in