Barack Obama was elected more than two months ago but he won't assume the presidency until he says the following 37 words, established in the United State constitution.

“I do solemnly swear 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.”

Many presidents have also added these four words, “So help me God.”  

Most presidents have taken the oath of office while placing their hand on Bible, which is not mandatory, but has become a tradition that began with the first President of the United States in 1789, George Washington.

Other facts about the formal transfer of power in the United States follow:

Q:  When did the first inauguration take place?
A:  The very first inauguration took place in New York City, New York on April 1789.  George Washington was sworn in and gave the shortest inaugural address in history at just 135 words.

Q:   When did the location of the inauguration switch to Washington, D.C.?
A:   After the first inaugural in New York City, the venue was switched to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1793 and did not arrive in Washington, D.C. – the newly designated capital city – until the inauguration of Thomas Jefferson in 1801.  Originally, Inauguration Day was March 4th to allow time for votes from outlying areas to be counted.  The date was changed to January 20th in 1937 to speed up the transfer of power.

Q.  Does the vice president-elect take an oath of office?
A.  Yes.  Today, the vice president is sworn in on the front terrace of the U.S. Capitol, immediately before the president.  Until 1937, the vice president took the oath of office in the Senate.

Q.  What else happens on Inauguration Day besides the president’s swearing in?
A.  The day begins with a morning worship service, after which the president-elect, the vice president-elect and their spouses are escorted to the White House.  The president-elect and outgoing president have a brief meeting and ride together to the Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony.  After the new president takes the oath of office, he will give his inaugural address, a speech which sets the tone of his presidency.   The Inaugural Parade is next and in the evening, official Inaugural Balls begin.