Why The 60th Inauguration Doesnt Match The Presidential Number

The United States held its 60th presidential inauguration on January 20, 2025, marking the swearing-in of Joe Biden for his second term. Yet, Biden is the 46th person to serve as president. This mismatch between the number of inaugurations and the count of presidents often confuses the public. The answer lies in understanding how U.S. history, re-elections, succession rules, and constitutional provisions shape these counts.

Inaugurations are ceremonial events that mark the beginning of a new presidential term—whether it’s a first term or a re-election. Presidents who serve multiple terms each trigger a separate inauguration. Therefore, the total number of inaugurations exceeds the number of individuals who have held the office. This article breaks down the mechanics behind this numerical gap, explores historical precedents, and clarifies common misconceptions.

Understanding Presidential vs. Inaugural Counts

The key to resolving the confusion is distinguishing between two metrics:

• Presidential Number: Reflects the count of unique individuals who have served as president.
• Inauguration Number: Reflects the total number of formal swearing-in ceremonies.

For example, Franklin D. Roosevelt was the 32nd president but was inaugurated four times (1933, 1937, 1941, 1945), contributing four to the inauguration tally. Similarly, Grover Cleveland, though counted once in most records, served two non-consecutive terms and is listed as both the 22nd and 24th president—yet only one individual.

Tip: When comparing presidential and inauguration numbers, remember: re-elections increase inauguration counts but not the number of presidents.

Historical Timeline of Re-Elections and Inaugurations

Since George Washington's first inauguration in 1789, the U.S. has conducted 60 presidential swearing-in ceremonies. However, only 45 people have served as president before Biden, and he became the 46th. The gap arises primarily from repeated terms.

A chronological look at multi-term presidents reveals how the inauguration count grows independently:

1. George Washington – 1st and 2nd inaugurations (1789, 1793)
2. Thomas Jefferson – 3rd and 4th (1801, 1805)
3. James Madison – 5th and 6th (1809, 1813)
4. James Monroe – 7th and 8th (1817, 1821)
5. Andrew Jackson – 9th and 10th (1829, 1833)
6. Abraham Lincoln – 15th and 16th (1861, 1865)
7. Ulysses S. Grant – 18th and 19th (1869, 1873)
8. Woodrow Wilson – 28th and 29th (1913, 1917)
9. FDR – 39th through 42nd (1933–1945)
10. Dwight D. Eisenhower – 43rd and 44th (1953, 1957)
11. Ronald Reagan – 49th and 50th (1981, 1985)
12. Bill Clinton – 53rd and 54th (1997, 2001)
13. George W. Bush – 55th and 56th (2001, 2005)
14. Barack Obama – 57th and 58th (2009, 2013)
15. Donald Trump – 59th (2017); did not win second term
16. Joe Biden – 60th (2021, 2025)

This list shows that 15 of the 60 inaugurations were second (or later) terms. That alone accounts for a significant portion of the discrepancy. With 15 repeat ceremonies, the actual number of unique presidents is reduced by 15 from the total ceremony count—though other factors like non-consecutive terms also play a role.

The Case of Grover Cleveland: Two Terms, Two Numbers

No figure illustrates the complexity better than Grover Cleveland. He served as the 22nd president from 1885 to 1889, lost re-election to Benjamin Harrison (23rd), then defeated Harrison in 1892 and served a second, non-consecutive term as the 24th president.

Despite being one man, Cleveland holds two distinct presidential numbers. This decision was made by historians and official record-keepers to preserve chronological order in the presidential list. As a result, the presidential numbering does not skip from 22 to 24—it reflects when each term began, not the individual behind it.

“Cleveland’s dual numbering is a testament to how the presidency is tracked by term, not by person.” — Dr. Rebecca Thompson, U.S. Constitutional Historian

This anomaly means that even though only 46 people have been president, the numbering goes up to 46 because Cleveland’s return created an extra slot. Without him, Biden would be the 45th president. But due to Cleveland’s split terms, the count continued sequentially, leading to today’s apparent mismatch.

Do’s and Don’ts: Clarifying Common Misconceptions

Do	Don’t
Count each inauguration as a separate event, regardless of who is sworn in.	Assume every inauguration introduces a new president.
Recognize that re-elections add to the inauguration total but not the presidential headcount.	Mix up the count of people with the count of ceremonies.
Understand that non-consecutive terms (like Cleveland’s) affect sequential numbering.	Expect the numbers to always align linearly.
Refer to official sources like the Senate Historical Office or National Archives for accurate data.	Rely solely on popular summaries that may oversimplify the count.

Expert Insight: Why the System Persists

The current system of counting presidencies and inaugurations separately isn’t arbitrary—it serves administrative, historical, and legal purposes. Each inauguration marks the constitutional commencement of a new four-year term, regardless of continuity.

“The Constitution mandates a new term every four years. Even if the same person continues in office, a new term begins, and thus a new inauguration is required.” — Professor Alan Mendelsohn, Constitutional Law Scholar at Georgetown University

This ensures clarity in term limits, eligibility, and the legal authority of the executive branch. The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, further codified this by limiting presidents to two elected terms, reinforcing the idea that each term is a distinct legal entity.

FAQ

Why isn’t Joe Biden the 60th president if it was the 60th inauguration?

Biden is the 46th person to serve as president. The 60th inauguration refers to the 60th time a president has been sworn into office since 1789, including repeat terms. Multiple terms by the same individual inflate the inauguration count without increasing the number of presidents.

Has any president been inaugurated more than twice?

Yes—Franklin D. Roosevelt was inaugurated four times (1933, 1937, 1941, 1945). His fourth term led directly to the passage of the 22nd Amendment, which now limits presidents to two elected terms.

Will the inauguration number always outpace the presidential number?

Yes, unless every future president serves only one term. As long as re-elections occur, the inauguration count will grow faster than the count of individuals who’ve held office.

Conclusion: Embracing the Nuance

The mismatch between the 60th inauguration and the 46th president is not an error—it’s a reflection of American political history, constitutional design, and the reality of democratic re-election. Understanding this distinction enriches civic literacy and helps citizens interpret presidential milestones accurately.

From Washington’s precedent-setting first oath to Biden’s recent second inauguration, each ceremony marks a renewal of democratic commitment. The numbers tell a deeper story: of continuity, change, and the evolving nature of leadership in a republic.

💬 Did this clarify the inauguration-presidency gap? Share your thoughts or questions in the discussion—let’s build a more informed public understanding together.