Those who voted on Nov. 4, 2008, will undoubtedly look forward to Jan. 20, 2009, the day on which the United States' new president-elect will be sworn into office on the 56th quadrennial Inauguration Day.

Many U.S. citizens are familiar with the words, "I do solemnly swear..." which start the oath of office, but few are familiar with the traditions behind them.

The oath of office was first taken by George Washington on April 30, 1789, in New York City. Prior to the enactment of the 20th Amendment, which made Jan. 20 the official date for Inauguration Day, state officials had a full four months to name the president. The oath is found in the U.S. Constitution. It reads: "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."

Washington took the oath once more in 1793, but that time it was in Philadelphia. It wasn't until 1801, when Thomas Jefferson first took the oath of office, that Washington, D.C., became the traditional location of the presidential inauguration.

Of course, Inauguration Day has many procedural traditions. After Washington was inaugurated in Philadelphia, he delivered what has become known as the shortest inaugural address in U.S. history. At 135 words, Washington's address greatly contrasts that of William H. Harrison, who notoriously delivered his 8,445-word speech during a frigid rainstorm in 1841 and subsequently died of pneumonia.

Washington was also the first president to attend a church service prior being sworn in. However, this practice wouldn't have been considered a tradition had it not been for Franklin D. Roosevelt. Because Roosevelt was sworn into office four consecutive times (1933-1945), his Inauguration Day routine set an example for future presidents.

Other Inauguration Day traditions include the procession to the Capitol, the vice president's swearing-in ceremony, an inaugural luncheon, an inaugural parade and the inaugural ball.

The procession to the Capitol has been a tradition since 1837, when Andrew Jackson traveled with Martin Van Buren in a carriage partially constructed of wood from the U.S.S. Constitution. 1921 marked the year in which the first automobile was used to transport the president-elect, Warren Harding. In 1965, Lyndon Johnson preferred to ride in a bulletproof limousine -- in great contrast to Jimmy Carter, who walked more than a mile to the Capitol with his wife and daughter in 1977.

The vice president's swearing-in ceremony, prior to the president-elect reciting it, is a procession that has changed substantially since its introduction in 1789. Of all the changes, the most significant was the revision of the oath of office in 1884. Since then, the vice president -- as well as senators, state representatives and other government officers -- recites: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God."

The inaugural luncheon is a tradition that began with the Senate Committee on Arrangements hosting lunch for a sworn-in William McKinley in 1901. Since then, it's been a common practice for the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies to host the meal.

The inaugural parade is a tradition that reveres the president's role as commander-in-chief. Beginning with George Washington first being unwittingly escorted by various servicemen on his journey to New York in 1789, the inaugural parade has grown to be one of the most celebrated spectacles in politics. It is currently managed by the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee. Its participants are chosen by the Presidential Inaugural Committee to perform in marching bands, horse-mounted formations and other patriotic displays.

Although the first inaugural ball was held in Washington's name, it wasn't until James Madison's inauguration in 1809 that it became a custom. The inaugural ball is open to the public, who must buy tickets. In 1953, the demand for tickets was so great that organizers added a second event, which eventually resulted in numerous inaugural balls being hosted. Since then, the demand has remained steadily high.

Next year's Inauguration Day will proceed much like it has since 1953: morning church service followed by the procession to the Capitol; the swearing-in of both the vice president-elect and president-elect; the inaugural address; the luncheon; the parade; and, finally, the inaugural balls.