Obama is not the 44th man to be President.

by 158 | January 20, 2009 at 10:43 am

647 views | 24 Recommendations | 23 comments

President Obama has made his first mistake since taking office. This is just a historical note, not a criticism. I wonder who wrote this part of his speech. This does reflect a lack of

historical knowledge by many Americans.

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath.

Obama, in his speech--From amyjudd article.

There have been 43 people sworn into office, and 44 Presidencies, due to the fact that Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms and is counted chronologically as both the 22nd and the 24th President. Of the individuals elected as President, four died in office of natural causes, one resigned, and four were assassinated. The first President was George Washington, who was inaugurated in 1789 after a unanimous Electoral College vote. William Henry Harrison spent the shortest time in office at 32 days. At over twelve years, Franklin D. Roosevelt spent the longest time in office, and is the only President to serve more than two terms. The current incumbent President is Barack Obama, who is serving his first term.

Others are picking up this error.

It didn't take long for Barack Obama to make the first mistake of his presidency.

In the third sentence of his inaugural speech Tuesday, the newly sworn-in president said, "Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath."

While there have been 44 presidential administrations, there have been only 43 presidents; Grover Cleveland served two nonconsecutive terms in the late 1800s.

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158

at 11:00 on January 20th, 2009

This is in no way meant as a criticism of president Obama. It is just something that jumped out at me at the start of his speech.

Amy Judd

at 11:19 on January 20th, 2009

Interesting...

So it's been 43 people, but they have been sworn in 44 times - so really he should have said 'forty three Americans have now take the Presidential oath'.

eastvanray

at 11:32 on January 20th, 2009

Actually 'forty three Americans have now take the Presidential oath' sounds more like Bush. I think Obama would have used correct grammer and said 'forty three Americans have now taken the Presidential oath'

158

at 11:46 on January 20th, 2009

Showing even the great ones can make historical or grammar mistakes

israeli.agent

at 01:46 on January 21st, 2009

I like the usage "historical grammer mistake ". Only if you combine it :))

Agent

158

at 12:17 on January 21st, 2009

Much better.

Thanks.

158

at 11:40 on January 20th, 2009

Actually the oath is given after each election, 55 so far plus 8 more for the VPs who became president on the death of the former president plus one more for Ford after Nixon resigned.

Paschen

at 11:21 on January 20th, 2009

Good point. One should not make such mistakes in an inauguration speech.

158

at 11:42 on January 20th, 2009

Yes, minor but in a historical speech, it should have been checked.

SOLARLIFE

at 11:32 on January 20th, 2009

Obama adressed the Risk takers, the Doers not the bean-counters. This is not of any importance.

Paschen

at 11:46 on January 20th, 2009

Actually, it is very important. Making such a mistake on such and important speech, that has been polished and practised to perfection by him and his staff shows ignorance of facts and disastrous mistakes to come. This is not excusable in such a speech. A slips up yes, not a mistake though, especially not about once own history.

158

at 12:03 on January 20th, 2009

After thinking, I agree on such a historical speech, a little fact checking should be in order. When I was in high school Grover Cleveland was always mentioned in history class because he was the only one with split terms

158

at 11:56 on January 20th, 2009

Solarlife,

I agree. What is important is what he does.

This is just a semi interesting side light,about like what Michelle Obama wore to the inauguration, nothing of real importance.

Fripouille

at 11:55 on January 20th, 2009

Euhhhhhhh, excuse me gals 'n' guys, but is this important?!

(I have a great story about how I ordered a beer in my local watering hole today but the barmaid spilt it inadvertantly, if you're interested........)

158

at 12:00 on January 20th, 2009

Did she spill it on you? More details.

As I said this is like several stories on what Michelle Obama wears or what dog the children will get. Not earth shaking, but of minor interest.

But Paschen does make a point. This speech will be studied for generations and a minor history mistake should not be in such an important speech.

Fripouille

at 12:18 on January 20th, 2009

You're right, of course. Just having fun here.

Oh, and the drink?

Well, in fact it spilt onto the coat of a guy sitting next to me who had a slight facial twitch and who was prattling on about Obama being a Bush clone so I thought that served him right that the beer spilled on him so I was pleased but it also spilt into the credit card machine which meant that I couldn't.....

(Next breathtaking instalment next week).

More seriously though;

CONGRATULATIONS AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(ps. Spill (spilt/spilled). Like burn or hanged, can be a regular or irregular verb).

caj1

at 17:55 on January 20th, 2009

Good for you, 158 for picking up so quickly on this error! I agree, it is an error that could have been caught by careful proofreading/fact checking. I am a native of New Jersey, where in public schools, we were taught the special circumstances of the two presidencies of Grover Cleveland!

158

at 18:00 on January 20th, 2009

Thank you. Grover Cleveland was one of my favorite presidents.

I'm surprised president Obama did not catch this before speaking.

caj1

at 19:53 on January 20th, 2009

I am too, that the phrase "44th man to be President" was also not checked out completely. Glad you like Grover Cleveland's historical record as President. I certainly read a lot about him, and I knew about his two presidencies, in advance of today's Inauguration events.

158

at 20:30 on January 20th, 2009

He was a good president. I first noticed him because I liked the Cleveland Indians baseball team. Then I noticed he was the only man listed as president and after checking on him I found he was a good president.History is interesting and sometimes useful.

Fripouille

at 01:02 on January 21st, 2009

Hi 158,

Concerning favourite Presidents, is there a particular president who Americans in general would consider as being their favourite?

158

at 12:15 on January 21st, 2009

Lincoln and Washington are favored by most Americans. Most see Thomas Jefferson favorably.

Kennedy and Reagan are recent favorites but each has a large group that doesn't like them.

Both Roosevelts are favored by many.

A.S. (not verified)

at 20:05 on January 27th, 2009

Slightly snarky, but also sort of true:

As to it being a "historical speech studied for generations"--maybe this little slip-up (or, perhaps, use of "poetic license," depends on how you want to read it I suppose) will bring all the more attention to the speech as it will now require a scholarly footnote!