What Words Did George Washington Add To The Oath

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☰ Table of Contents

• The Great Debate: Did Washington REALLY Say "So Help Me God"?
• The Cliff Notes Version: Words vs. Flair
• Hold on Now, Where'd This "God" Stuff Come In?
• The Plot Thickens: Enter the Prop Bible
• The Bottom Line: A Mystery Wrapped in an Enigma
• Questions and Answers

The Great Debate: Did Washington REALLY Say "So Help Me God"?

Ah, George Washington. The man, the myth, the legend... and the guy at the center of a rather peculiar historical whodunit. We all know the image: Washington, hand on a giant Bible, solemnly taking the oath of office. But here's the thing, folks – there's a rumble in the history books about what he actually said.

What Words Did George Washington Add To The Oath

The Cliff Notes Version: Words vs. Flair

The U.S. Constitution lays out the presidential oath pretty clearly: "I do solemnly swear 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." Short, sweet, and to the point. But some accounts tell a different tale, claiming Washington added a flourish with the classic closer: "So help me God."

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Hold on Now, Where'd This "God" Stuff Come In?

Here's the twist: there's no concrete evidence from the time that Washington uttered those famous last words. The earliest mention comes from Washington Irving, a dude who was all of six years old at the inauguration! Now, don't get me wrong, Irving's a literary giant, but relying on a kindergartener's memory for historical accuracy might be a stretch.

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So, what gives?

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Some theories suggest Washington may have added the phrase on the fly, struck by the solemnity of the occasion. Others believe it was a common practice back then, even if not officially mandated. The truth, like a rogue cherry pie cooling on the windowsill, remains elusive.

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The Plot Thickens: Enter the Prop Bible

Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that Washington used a borrowed Bible for the ceremony. This wasn't your average dusty family heirloom – it was a last-minute loan from a Masonic lodge, and it didn't even include the Old Testament where "So help me God" typically appears.

Intriguing, right?

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Fast forward to the present day, and most presidents opt for the "So help me God" ending, regardless of their personal beliefs. It's become a tradition, a dash of ceremony in the inauguration cocktail.

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The Bottom Line: A Mystery Wrapped in an Enigma

Did Washington actually say "So help me God"? The history books might leave you scratching your head. But hey, that's the beauty of the past, folks – it's full of fascinating puzzles waiting to be unraveled.

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So, the next time you see a presidential inauguration, keep this little mystery in mind. Who knows, it might just spark a lively debate at your next barbecue!

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FAQ: Unsolved Washingtonian Oath Mysteries

How to impress your friends with your newfound knowledge? Buckle up, history buffs, because here are some quick answers to frequently pondered "Washington Oath" questions:

1. How to: Casually drop Washington's oath mystery into conversation.

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2. Answer: "Fun fact: Did you know there's debate about what Washington actually said during his inauguration? History buffs are still trying to crack the code!"

3. How to: Sound like an expert on obscure historical trivia.

4. Answer: "Washington used a borrowed Bible for the ceremony – one that didn't even include the part with 'So help me God'!"

5. How to: Appear effortlessly well-read.

6. Answer: "The whole 'So help me God' thing is a fascinating historical whodunit. Makes you wonder what other presidential secrets are out there!"

Quick References
Title	Description
census.gov	https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/WA
wa.gov	https://www.doh.wa.gov
yakimawa.gov	https://www.yakimawa.gov
nps.gov	https://www.nps.gov/state/wa/index.htm
seattle.gov	https://www.seattle.gov