Participating in a service in this church has become a tradition for heads of state on the first day of official work of new administrations, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

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St. John's Episcopal Church is also known as the Church of Presidents. Virtually every head of state since James Madison has attended it.

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The tradition of beginning an inauguration with a private service was started by the 31st President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt. He asked the church to host his family and friends for a private service, and the church agreed. The 32nd President, Harry Truman, decided to follow Roosevelt's example, and the tradition continued.

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Sometimes services are held in a different location – depending on the denomination of the president-elect.

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220 tickets have been distributed for the inauguration — the entrance to the areas adjacent to the Capitol opened at 5 a.m. Those who were unable to get a ticket are watching the ceremony from separate parts of the National Mall.
First photo: The Washington Post