<P> By convention , incoming presidents raise their right hand and place the left on a Bible or other book while taking the oath of office . In 1789 , George Washington took the oath of office with an altar Bible borrowed from the St. John 's Lodge No. 1 , Ancient York Masons lodge in New York , and he kissed the Bible afterward . Subsequent presidents up to and including Harry Truman , followed suit . Dwight Eisenhower broke that tradition in 1953 when he said a prayer instead of kissing the Bible . </P>
<P> By convention , incoming presidents raise their right hand and place the left on a Bible or other book while taking the oath of office . In 1789 , George Washington took the oath of office with an altar Bible borrowed from the St. John 's Lodge No. 1 , Ancient York Masons lodge in New York , and he kissed the Bible afterward . Subsequent presidents up to and including Harry Truman , followed suit . Dwight Eisenhower broke that tradition in 1953 when he said a prayer instead of kissing the Bible . </P>
why are presidents sworn in on the bible
why are presidents sworn in on the bible
convention
convention