Final answer:
At a presidential inauguration, the new president takes the Constitutionally-mandated oath of office and delivers an inaugural address to share their vision and priorities for the nation.
Step-by-step explanation:
During a presidential inauguration, the newly elected President of the United States is required to take the oath of office, a precise set of words outlined in the Constitution: "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.
" Following this, the president delivers an inaugural address, which serves various purposes such as celebrating, expressing national sentiment, educating, advocating, and setting the tone for their upcoming presidency. This speech allows the president to outline their priorities and vision, and historically it has been used to set forth domestic and foreign policy agendas, provide messages of inspiration, and attempt to unite the nation under a shared purpose.
Iconic examples include John F. Kennedy's call to action in 1961, "We stand today on the edge of a New Frontier," and Abraham Lincoln's inaugural addresses, which aimed to calm tensions and set a course for national unity. While the content of the inaugural address varies from president to president, each speech marks a significant moment in U.S. history, memorializing both the transition of power and the individual president's aspirations for their term in office.