write a welcome speech for the inaugural ceremony

12 Simple and Sample Welcome Speech For Inauguration Ceremony

Inauguration is the beginning of a new era, a new season, and a new leader, it also marks the transfer of power from one leader to another. It allows the new leader to convey his agenda, visions, and missions for the country and organization.

Inaugural speeches are a way for new leaders to communicate to their new constituency.

Here is the list of the best speeches for the inauguration.

Best Inaugural Speeches

As a country, we have long ago determined to march beyond the bounds of darkness into the broad day of fresh national optimism. The choice we now tackle ourselves is whether to stay committed to the labor in establishing a better society or hide in the shadows ready to be defeated. This nation’s progress has been a result of the prayers of all and the combined sacrifices of us all and We have withstood trials that would have caused other nations to collapse and disintegrate. Yet, we have shouldered the tremendous load of struggles and tribulations to arrive at this moment. And now there is a great possibility for a better future with of course all our efforts and enhanced abilities.

It has become our political tradition to transition from one administration to another and it has been an orderly transition so far. This transfer of power has always demonstrated our confidence in God and our conviction in our power to rebuild this country into the society we have always envisioned. The nation I and my team talk about is more than just adjusting the economic state of the nation, of course, these things are critically essential but will not be able to express our story in building the ideal nation.

Our top priority is to improve the way of life of everyone and inspire love and unity among every individual. We will strive harder to bring these ideas and thoughts written on paper to life. Let us build a common sense of justice and equality together and a nation flowing with milk and honey. In the following days and weeks, the component of our plan to build an ideal nation will be disclosed publicly. I will discuss all the measures that will reflect our view of a great and progressive governance and ideal nation.

This day marks the pinnacle of my achievement. But this day belongs to you, the people of this great Nation. The way of our history and the promise of the future have led us to this unique moment. I invite you to join me in creating a more perfect country and democracy so that the ideal nation becomes and forever stays the reality with complete faith in our capacity. May God bless us and our great nation.

2. I am grateful for all of your prayers and support and am delighted and happy to stand before you today. However, today is not about me, we celebrate this new beginning and a new phase in this prestigious school, we honor this great University and We are here to confirm its vital purpose, honor its history, and look forward to a better future

I and my team pursue this goal, we want to preserve the best of the past while advancing into the future. The past and previous presidents of this great institution have truly improved the school tremendously however, I and my team will implore the new normal to the constitution of this institution to make it the best institution in this part of the world. Our goals and visions are listed below;(A detailed list)

We know this generation cares significantly about society and its difficulties. With our new administration, they can become citizens and leaders of capability, principles, and compassion. They can become ethical citizens and leaders who have the knowledge and faith to build a more sustainable society. They can also become individuals who will proffer solutions to various problems in society

Speech For Inaugural Ceremony

3. I am utterly grateful and honored for the love and support shown by everyone to reach this position. While I was thinking about this event, I was focused on the many individuals in my life who have been inspiring to me, enabled me to become the leader and person I am today, and whose love, friendship, and support have supported me over many years. It was just certain for me that this event would feature those who have been influential and instrumental in my life.

Having attained this position my top priorities and goals are to push ourselves to accomplish more, both students and staff.

To discover and invest in excellent academic and support programs that will address the changing needs of our students and our community. To reward and retain our devoted academics and staff with competitive salaries.

To open our doors to new and diverse professors and staff.

And to remind ourselves of the role that higher education may play in mending our society and our lives generally.

Creating a feeling of belonging which will eradicate separation and conflict. We will be Teaching them how to learn across their differences.

And that is why we’re investing in our community discussions project. This year, we will teach our pupils how to conduct challenging talks right here at the institution and create a model for institutions around the nation.

we hope for a better institution in months to come. an institution that is much stronger than it has been in years past. With your support, we will achieve this together.

Simple inauguration Speech Sample

4. Good day everyone, It is a privilege to be standing here on this pulpit this afternoon, my heartfelt gratitude to those who contributed to this day for it to be a success. Thank you so much!

I am thankful for the efforts of the inaugural committee and the numerous people who contributed to the activities this week. It was fantastic to witness the scholarship represented by the students, professors, and graduates.

Our students bring their goals to this institution. We appreciate them for their daily inspiration and for sharing this changing moment in their life with us.

Our institutional story – is strengthened with the participation of people who have supported our mission with steady faith for decades—and in whose confidence and trust we depend as we look to the future.

Higher education today is not without its obstacles including the need for improved access. I commit now, and every day, to serve our purpose with everything I have to offer: words, acts, energy, ideas, and, of course, faith. You have my courageous and devoted vow of everlasting love and determination to all that this university will be in the future!

I invite you to join me as we work together, motivated by our vision to accomplish the change that our mission offers.

Short Speech Sample

5. I want to thank everybody for making this celebration much more wonderful with your attendance here tonight.

Everyone in the audience knows that it takes a lot of courage to put oneself out there in pursuit of an election. To those persons who were unsuccessful in this election, thank you for your service to our community through your willingness to run in the election please continue to be active through some other means, we need you to build a better organization

Change is constant and You all voted for it— change in the members of this new council and a change in the way we conduct business. And change didn’t wait.

I will make sure all the sectors of this company are looked into and see that there is an improvement.

This company has been one of the best in the county in all aspects including sales, delivery, service, and satisfaction of all customers. While I was the manager I was able to manage the company to greatness. With full confidence and optimism, under my power, this company will be known globally.

I am humbled by the trust you have placed in me, and I am here today to thank you for that trust, and to get to work on the company’s business.

I will make sure I do my best to make this company thrive more than it has always, and I am eager, driven, happy, and pleased to be your chairman Thanks to everyone

I also want to thank my colleagues and family. They have been tremendously supportive of all my participation on campus and I genuinely wouldn’t be here without them. I also like to thank my mentors for their encouragement

Truly this University is the best place to be as a student.

I was delighted to watch these projects, and numerous more efforts that I do not have time to mention now, develop and extend next year. As Student Body Vice President, my major task will be to develop and administer the Freshman Leadership Council, an introduction group to Student Government, to open their horizon to student political affairs, I will have the amazing chance to work with incoming Freshman leaders and help them acquire the skills required to be exceptional leaders and I intend to build on the success of my previous leaders to make next year’s Freshman Leadership Council the finest yet. Thank you.

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Inaugural Speech Example

Let us be thankful and appreciate the route that we have all traveled to arrive at this great moment, to build this prestigious company, and thank everyone who was part of the trip. It is, after all, why we are here today. I also realized that we are pushed by a profound determination to attain new heights. It is a new normal, hence a new strategy, new plans, new achievements, and great profits of course. Standing before you today, I am certain that, standing together, we will discover ways to not only fulfill the high expectations we have for ourselves but surpass those our community and our world have for us.

I am extremely grateful to be appointed as the vice chancellor of this great university. This university’s mission and vision are to be the center of excellence and knowledge generation towards global development and an environment-friendly institution. Appointed as the vice Chancellor I will make sure to build great leaders found worthy in learning and character, to generate and advance knowledge through teaching, research, and provision of excellent learning conditions, and to also contribute to sustainable development through community engagement.

Related topic : speech for graduation ceremony

Inauguration Speech Sample For School

9. We mark today as a triumph for students of the University and also a celebration of freedom representing an end of endurance as well as the beginning of change because I have vowed before you and the Almighty God the solemn oath that my predecessors had taken.

I want to congratulate my excellent Vice Chancellor and his administration for all they have done for us to make this event a success. I also want to congratulate the Electoral Commission for having worked diligently during the election process to guarantee elections were realistic, free, and fair. I can’t forget to thank the departing president and the student union body for the wonderful job they have done throughout their rule. Throughout the previous academic year, they have planned different successful events and contests such as intellectual groups like the debate team and extracurricular activities to enhance the social life of the students in the university.

I also wish to honor the presence of my two opponents who were competing for this position. They have worked hard throughout the election campaign; they have both persisted in this battle and made a lot of sacrifices. I appreciate and admire their strength and bravery. I think that they have not lost but won because without the pressure I experienced from both of them; I wouldn’t have made more effort to win this election.

Let us utilize our knowledge to build unity amongst the students so that justice will reign forever.

I want to send my heartfelt appreciation to all my fellow students for making the correct choice and to those whose support I haven’t acquired yet, I may not have won your votes but I feel I have now won your hearts and I will be your chairman too.

I truly feel that we are making headways in addressing these challenges and there is still more to achieve. I shall be very willing and prepared to utilize negotiations and communication with management to seek answers to difficulties that influence students at this university.

Fellow students, with all your help it is true that this university can change for the better and our student union can be completed. What we have already done gives us hope for what we may and must achieve tomorrow as one family. I know the path ahead will be tedious, and the tunnel to success will be long and dark but I guarantee you that together we shall see the light at the end.

I will neither encourage nor tolerate any member of my administration who would seek to create dissension among members or fail to take charge of their respective duties

Colleagues, I’m thankful to you all for all the sacrifices you’ve made to make this day a reality.

The energy, faith, passion, the commitment that we bring to this attempt will ignite our institution and those who serve it.

10. I stand before you today honoured by your trust and driven by your charge. I am appreciative to the members of the Board of Trustees for their confidence. I am touched by the greetings from our community- staff, instructors, students, and alumni.

I am truly thrilled and humbled to become the 9th president in the renowned history of this college. This College has a strong heritage of choosing the best students from the area, offering them the best education, and having those individuals pursue professions that serve society. That’s a rewarding history and purpose.

Our objective therefore is to anticipate the changes and workforce demands and educate our students appropriately. We need to train knowledge managers. This is a noble objective because not only are we helping our students by offering them a fantastic education with plenty of opportunities, but we are serving the greater society by supplying pharmacists and health scientists to fulfill rising healthcare requirements. I hope to achieve all of this during my service in the office and I will appreciate everyone’s support and cooperation, together we can be the best.

How To Write Inaugural Speech

I would also like to convey a debt of thanks to all those responsible for the events of this week, as well as today’s program.

It is crucial to recognize the peoples on whose land we work as we endeavor to enhance and deepen our links with our tribal nations. I want to thank them for their support in my installation

I am determined to strengthen connections and engagement between the company and Tribal Nations and would like to thank and recognize the tribal leaders who are here today.

Ours is a tale that will be written first with a dedication to business excellence.

An organization that develops and grooms individuals the abilities they need to realize their potential throughout their lives in a constantly changing world, an organization that is prompt with business deals and delivers efficiently and proffer solutions.

Ours is a tale that will be authored by our devotion to research excellence.

I look forward to working with you all to take leaps when required, and gradual steps where necessary – but to guarantee that each step, whether huge or little, advances us forward.

That’s why I am thrilled with hope when I think about guiding this company to its vital new phase.

Although January 1st marked the beginning of a new chapter in our history, today marks the official launch of a new era. This event gives a time for meaningful reflection beginning with our proud history, showcasing our present, and imagining the wonderful future that we are going to create together.

At this moment, I would like to reflect briefly on my road to where we are today. I am always asked one popular question which is what are my visions and missions for this university?

The only way we will establish a wonderful reputation is to concentrate on teaching kids who will go out and make the world a better place. As we build our reputation to be a top-notch university, our values must serve as our north star to help us develop a deep-rooted tree with a solid trunk that is covered with blossoming branches. Ultimately our purpose is to serve the public good.

One of the most significant roles of a university president is to transform problems into administrative operations. Upholding this important commitment, I have sought the collective counsel of my predecessors. My goal as the new president is outstanding excellence by all our students, I want to convey my heartfelt appreciation to everyone here today.I am overjoyed by the presence of my mentors, past students, and friends.

Thank you to our pupils. We are here because of you. The future of our civilization depends on your enthusiasm and devotion. Whenever I interact with our kids, I come away feeling positive because I know we are in excellent hands.

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Speech on Inauguration Ceremony

Inauguration ceremonies are special events that mark the start of something new. They hold great significance, celebrating milestones and progress.

You might have seen these ceremonies for new buildings, offices, or even when a president takes office. It’s like a grand welcome party for new beginnings.

1-minute Speech on Inauguration Ceremony

Ladies and gentlemen, today is a special day. It is a day that marks the start of something new, a day filled with hope and promise. This is our inauguration ceremony day, an event that signals the start of a fresh chapter.

The best part about an inauguration ceremony is that it brings us all together. Whether you’re a teacher, a friend, or a family member, today, we stand as one. We stand united, ready to step into this new beginning with positivity and enthusiasm.

We are also here to celebrate. It’s a day of joy, a day to be proud of what we’ve accomplished so far, and a day to anticipate what the future holds. It’s like a birthday party, where we celebrate another year of growth and promise, but today, we’re celebrating a new start.

As we stand here at this inauguration ceremony, let’s remember that this is just the beginning. We have a long road ahead filled with challenges and triumphs. But for now, let us embrace this moment, this first step, and embark on this journey together.

So let’s get started, let’s open the doors to our dreams, let’s make this new beginning a memorable one. Here’s to our inauguration day, a day filled with promise and hope. Thank you.

2-minute Speech on Inauguration Ceremony

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let’s begin by celebrating this special day. Today, we gather here to mark the start of something new, something exciting, and something promising. It’s the inauguration ceremony, a powerful event that holds the promise of a fresh beginning.

Inauguration is like planting a seed. As we plant the seed, we dream of a tall, strong tree that will one day bear fruits. Today, we plant such a seed, hoping that it will grow into something splendid and fruitful. A new chapter is opening up, and we are the lucky ones who get to write the first few lines.

Now, let’s talk about the significance of this ceremony. An inauguration is not just about cutting a ribbon or unveiling a plaque. It’s about hopes and dreams. It’s about the hard work of many people, and the trust and faith that everyone has put into this project. It’s a symbol of the collective effort and dedication that has brought us to this point.

Finally, let’s not forget about the role we all play in this inaugural journey. We are not just spectators, but active participants. Every one of us has a part to play in making this journey a success. We are the builders, the creators, and the dreamers. Our collective effort, dedication, and perseverance will determine the success of this journey.

In conclusion, this inauguration ceremony is not just a formal event. It’s the beginning of a journey, a journey filled with hope, dreams, and challenges. As we take this first step, let’s remember the hard work, the trust, and the faith that has brought us here. Let’s remember that we are not just spectators, but active participants in this journey. And most importantly, let’s remember that this is just the beginning.

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Written Samples

5 powerful inauguration speech samples.

Inauguration speeches are monumental; they are a blend of vision, commitment, and inspiration. They are not merely formalities but powerful narratives that set the tone for new beginnings. They weave together the past, present, and future, urging onlookers towards a shared vision.

Each word in an inauguration speech carries the weight of unity, direction, and hope.

Inauguration Speech Samples

Below are some sample inauguration speeches you can modify to suit your purpose. Note the distinctiveness of each scenario, the tailored messages for the audience, and the pervasive air of optimism, responsibility, and forward momentum that characterize the most memorable speeches.

Sample Speech 1: “A New Dawn for Education”

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today marks not just an inaugural moment but the birth of a renewed commitment to education in our beloved nation. As I stand before you, I am humbled by the task ahead and invigorated by the potential that lies within our schools, our teachers, and most importantly, our students. Our journey will not be easy; it demands hard work, dedication, and an unyielding belief in the transformative power of education.

Our schools are the nurseries of democracy, innovation, and progress. We stand on the cusp of an educational renaissance, where every child has access to knowledge, critical thinking skills, and the promise of a brighter future. We will build schools that are not just institutions of learning but communities of curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.

In this new chapter, we will ensure that every child can sit in a classroom where their mind is nurtured, their character is developed, and their dreams are valued. We will elevate our teachers, those unsung heroes, to their rightful place as the architects of our future. Together, we will write a story of success, inclusivity, and progress. Let us embrace this new dawn with determination and a shared vision of an educated, enlightened, and empowered society.

Sample Speech 2: “Charting a Sustainable Future”

Fellow Citizens,

As I take office today, I am acutely aware of the profound responsibility I shoulder—steering our nation towards a sustainable and prosperous future. The earth we inhabit is borrowed from our children, and it is our paramount duty to return it to them in a better state than we found it.

Our commitment starts today, with robust policies that favor green energy, sustainable agriculture, and conservation efforts that will safeguard our natural heritage. We are at a defining moment in our history, a juncture where every action we take must be aimed at reducing our footprint and enhancing our harmony with nature.

We will invest in green technologies, empower communities to conserve their environments, and lead the world in the march towards sustainability. Our path may be fraught with challenges, but our resolve is unwavering. Together, we can chart a course that honors our planet, secures our children’s future, and writes a new chapter in the annals of our nation’s history.

Sample Speech 3: “Unity in Diversity: Our Greatest Strength”

Celebrating our collective identity in a symphony of cultures.

Distinguished Guests,

Today, as I stand before you, I am reminded of the rich tapestry that is our nation. We are a country of diverse cultures, languages, and beliefs, yet united by a shared destiny and common values. My vision for our future is one where every voice is heard, every tradition respected, and every individual empowered.

We embark on this journey together, with a commitment to build bridges of understanding and cooperation. Our diversity is not a wedge that divides but a strength that unites. We will foster an environment where every citizen, regardless of their background, can achieve their fullest potential.

Our policies will reflect our commitment to equality, justice, and inclusivity. We will celebrate our differences and find strength in our unity. Let us move forward with respect, empathy, and a shared commitment to the common good. Together, we will forge a nation that is resilient, vibrant, and united in its diversity.

Sample Speech 4: “Innovation: The Key to Our Future”

Esteemed Colleagues and Fellow Citizens,

Today signifies more than a transition; it represents a clarion call to unleash the innovative spirit that resides within our nation. We are a country built on the ingenuity, resilience, and relentless spirit of those who dare to dream and do.

The future belongs to the nations that innovate, and as your leader, I am committed to cultivating an environment where creativity flourishes, science is revered, and entrepreneurship is encouraged. We will invest in cutting-edge research, support our technological enterprises, and nurture the minds that will propel us into a new era of advancement.

Our journey will be marked by bold decisions, strategic partnerships, and an unyielding commitment to progress. We will redefine the global narrative of innovation, not just participating in the future but actively shaping it. Let’s embark on this journey together, with the promise of making our nation a beacon of technology, innovation, and unprecedented growth.

Sample Speech 5: “Healing and Hope: A Path Forward”

My Fellow Citizens,

In the wake of challenges that have tested our resolve, today marks a turning point. It is a time for healing, reflection, and a renewed commitment to the common welfare of all our people. We have faced adversities, but our spirit remains unbroken. Now, we look ahead to a path of reconciliation, rebuilding, and rejuvenation.

Our mandate is clear: to bridge divides, mend what’s broken, and forge a future where every citizen can enjoy peace, prosperity, and the promise of progress. We will listen more, engage more, and extend a hand to those who have been marginalized.

Our policies will reflect compassion, equity, and a relentless pursuit of justice. We will heal together, build together, and rise together. This is our promise, our covenant with the future—a future that starts today, with a shared vision of hope, resilience, and boundless possibilities.

Sample Speech 6: “Prosperity Through Partnership”

Esteemed Delegates and Fellow Citizens,

As I assume this high office today, I am imbued with a sense of purpose and a clear vision for our nation—a vision where prosperity is not an isolated journey but a shared endeavor. We stand at the precipice of a new era, an era where our success is interlinked with our ability to collaborate, both within our borders and beyond.

Our future lies in partnerships that are built on trust, mutual respect, and a common goal of upliftment. We will revitalize old alliances and forge new ones, focusing on economic cooperation, cultural exchange, and technological collaboration. Our policies will pave the way for a robust economy that benefits all, creating jobs, fostering innovation, and ensuring sustainable growth.

Let us embark on this path not as individuals or isolated entities but as a collective force. Together, we will build a nation that is resilient in the face of global challenges, prosperous in its endeavors, and generous in its success. A nation that does not just rise but lifts the world with it.

Sample Speech 7: “The Beacon of Liberty”

Honored Guests and Valued Citizens,

Today, as I take this solemn oath, I am reminded of the enduring principles that have guided our nation since its inception—liberty, justice, and the unyielding pursuit of happiness. These are not mere words but the very pillars upon which our society is built. As your leader, I am committed to upholding these sacred tenets and ensuring that they illuminate every corner of our land.

We are the beacon of liberty, shining a light not only for ourselves but for those who seek freedom around the world. Our mission is clear: to protect the rights of every individual, to ensure justice for all, and to provide the opportunities that allow every citizen to reach their fullest potential.

In the days to come, we will reinforce the foundations of our democracy, safeguard the liberties of our people, and stand as a symbol of hope and resilience. Let us move forward with courage, conviction, and a renewed commitment to the ideals that define us. Together, we will ensure that our light shines brighter than ever, guiding our path towards a future filled with freedom, dignity, and endless possibilities.

Each speech encapsulates a distinct vision and addresses various aspects of leadership and governance, tailored to inspire and galvanize audiences towards collective action and shared goals.

Whether it’s enhancing education, advocating for sustainability, celebrating diversity, driving innovation, or fostering healing and hope, these speeches serve as blueprints for effective and inspiring communication at pivotal moments.

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Welcome Speech in English: Best Samples, Examples & Tips

Why are Welcome Speeches Necessary?

Most of the gatherings and ceremonies are held with a purpose. They are either planned events or spontaneous gatherings. In both cases, it is important to know how to organize such events. We must prepare ourselves to conduct the event properly.

Let us imagine that you are hosting a gathering. You have prepared everything, including food, drinks, decorations, etc., and even set up the stage. However, you forgot one thing – a welcome speech. What happens next? Do you start talking immediately without waiting for everyone to arrive? Of course not!

The same goes for a meeting. How many times did you attend meetings where people didn’t introduce themselves? Or worse, they talked about themselves too much during the meeting. In addition, some speakers talk directly to the audience without introducing themselves. This makes it difficult for the attendees to comprehend the event’s process and connect with its objectives.

So why is a welcome speech in English needed? To begin with, it is necessary to give a brief overview of the topic. Secondly, it helps to provide information about the organization and its history. Thirdly, it allows us to highlight our achievements. And finally, it creates a good impression on guests. Otherwise, they might ask questions like “Where is this event going?”.

Significance of welcome speech

The significance of the welcome speech won’t be apparent without understanding what makes up the history of an event. An event can be defined as a sequence of activities carried out over a period of time. These activities are usually organized into stages, each with a specific purpose. For example, an event may start with opening remarks, followed by a keynote address, and finally concluded with closing remarks. Each stage of an event has a different set of responsibilities.

In the case of a welcoming ceremony, the welcome speech is considered to be one of the most important parts of the whole gathering. In fact, it is the most crucial aspect of the entire event. This is because the welcome speech serves several purposes.

First, it introduces the guests to the host. Second, it provides information regarding the upcoming program. Third, it creates a positive impression among the attendees. Fourth, it helps in creating a sense of unity among the participants. Fifth, it helps in establishing good relations between the hosts and the guests. And finally, it ensures that the guest feels comfortable during the occasion.

Objectives of a Welcome Speech in English

The objective of a welcome speech in English is to introduce yourself and the rest of the attendees at the event. This is done through a short introduction about who you are, what you do, why you’re attending, etc. The following are the objectives of a welcome speech:

• Introduce yourself
• Provide Information regarding the event
• Create a positive impression among attendees
• Establish good relations between hosts and guests
• Ensure guests feel comfortable during the event
• Help build unity among participants
• Explain the purpose of the meeting/event
• Set up the agenda for the meeting/event
• Make introductions
• Give background info about the organization
• Highlight achievements (if any)

Welcome Speech Samples in the Education Field

There is a number of school gatherings that require welcome speeches, be it an official school gathering or an informal event. In this segment, we’ve sorted samples according to the typical events organized in schools. Take note of each paragraph and determine its purpose. You’ll be able to create a workable framework or basis for your current and future speech requirements.

Welcome Address in English For Students

It’s natural for attendees of any event to expect an introductory speech, which sets the tone for the occasion. A host can easily command attention with an effective welcome. Even the longest speeches have the capacity to hold an audience’s interest when delivered in a catchy and impressive manner.

A short opening speech for a commencement ceremony

To everyone present, good morning. A very warm welcome to our respected faculty, our remarkable parents, and our dear students. Special recognition is due for our Chief Guest (name of chief guest). It’s a true honor to have such a successful alumnus (or state the chief guest’s job title). We express our biggest gratitude for accepting our invitation to deliver today’s keynote speech.

I’m standing here as a lucky witness to our dear students’ academic journey. Our school is very proud of everything you have accomplished and your small but not minor contributions to society. You’ve brought prestige to our name and deserve the title of one of our school’s most successful and dedicated batch of students.

With your teachers’ guidance and parents’ support, you’ve reached remarkable heights. I’d like to take this time to extend my gratitude to our faculty and our parents, for understanding, encouraging, and nurturing our students.

Graduates, you are about to start another chapter in your life. An exciting yet scary period. From now on, you will face more challenges, but I am confident that you’re adequately equipped to face any tribulation that comes your way. Remember that with conviction and self-belief, no mountain is too high to climb. The laurels you’ve brought back to our school are only the beginning. I am genuinely excited to see the astonishing feats that your futures hold.

A long opening speech for a commencement ceremony

Good morning everyone! I would like to extend a very warm welcome to our esteemed faculty, astounding parents, and our dear students. I’m honored to open our commencement ceremony and stand here where many of our accomplished alumni who I look up to once stood.

I extend a particularly warm welcome to our Chief Guest (name of chief guest), who as one of our outstanding alumni, has really set the standard for exemplary accomplishments.

(enumerate key achievements of chief guest)

Her/his professional and philanthropic endeavors attest to their upbringing and the values she/he lives by. We want to thank you for responding positively to our invitation to be the keynote speaker on today’s auspicious occasion.

As another academic year reaches its end, I’m sure that our dear students are anxious and also filled with hope and excitement. This is their final school event in our renowned school/college/university (name of school). But hopefully, it won’t be their last awarding ceremony.

We are extremely fortunate to have such a talented and passionate group of graduates who have earned laurels in honor of our school, adding to its distinction and great reputation. The amazing encouragement and unconditional support of our parents throughout the school year have been extraordinary. They have stood by their children in every school event. Our teachers and staff are truly thankful for the trust you’ve given us. Your children’s journey wouldn’t have been a huge success without your guidance and nurture.

It’s been a remarkable experience to witness the passion and commitment our students have exhibited in all their undertakings. I am filled with certitude that you will achieve whatever goal you’ve set your mind on. Adulthood is going to be jammed with more trials you’ve never imagined before. I am kidding. Maybe. Joking aside, you will win as long as you work hard and believe in yourself.

Remember that you are valuable and take every challenge you face as an opportunity to prove your worth and get better. Also, surround yourselves with people who are good for your well-being and treat them the way you’d like to be treated.

Maintain your sense of humor because not much else will get you through when the going gets rough. Life can be very special and you can truly make a mark, which doesn’t always need to have global proportions. Be accountable for your mistakes and learn from them. Keep nurturing your passions and remain as driven, bright, and astonishing as you are today. You are all wonderful and I can’t wait to see your future accomplishments, because they will be great.

Thank you and do us proud!

Welcome Speech for a College Function

(General greeting, i.e. good morning/afternoon/evening) to all (the audience attending the event, e.g. the parents, teachers, students, etc.) and our respected Principal (name of principal). It’s with great pleasure that I welcome everyone to (name of school)’s (name of event or ceremony).

Our college nurtures the ideologies of discipline and pride in one’s work and aims to hone our students as responsible and productive members of society. It is in this spirit that we celebrate today.

To commence our festivities, allow me to introduce one of our most esteemed alumni. Our Chief Guest (title and name of chief guest) has embodied the values fostered by our prominent and respected college. (Enumerate the main accomplishments of the chief guest). We honor you for your contributions to society and our city, most especially, which future generations will surely benefit from. With your hard work, dedication, and charitable spirit, you have set the goalposts we aspire to reach in order to make the world a much better place than we’ve found it.

(Initiate a round of applause)

Welcome Speech for a Yearly Function

(General greeting, i.e. good morning/afternoon/evening to all)

Honorable Chief Guest (name of guest), our beloved Principal (name of principal), our amazing faculty and staff members, our dearest parents and fellow students, and to everyone present, I welcome you all to (name of school/college/university)’s annual function.

My name is Lakshmi Gupta, a student of the Information Technology Department, and also the president of our school’s Cultural Exchange Organization and founder of the Languages Club.

It is with tremendous pride that I announce our prestigious school’s Silver Jubilee anniversary. We’re gathered today to celebrate 25 years of estimable service and success. The remarkable accomplishments of our elite school since its foundation won’t be possible without its long history of dedicated and respected teachers and passionate students, its tireless staff, and the unconditional support from our parents.

It’s also a great honor to introduce our Chief guest and keynote speaker. Any introduction won’t do justice to the extraordinary achievements she/he has attained throughout her/his career. (Enumerate the main accomplishments of the chief guest). She/he is truly one of the most treasured and incredible alumni our school has produced. Without further ado, let’s give a round of applause to (title and name of chief guest).

Welcome Speech for the School Principal

Ladies and Gentlemen, good morning!

I’m truly pleased and honored to welcome our new principal (title and name of principal). He has previously worked for 5 years at Lumos International as principal and has succeeded in revitalizing their academic standing and programs, especially in English and Cultural Studies.

I have gotten to know her/him over the last few days during the transition phase and found her/him to be a brave and progressive intellectual, with a great ideology and vision for the future of (name of school), our beloved school.

On behalf of the current administration, our board of trustees, the faculty, the staff, and our student body, we wholeheartedly extend a great welcome to you (title and name of principal).

We hope that with your leadership, energy, and enthusiasm, we shall start a new era of learning and reach greater excellence.

Congratulations and welcome!

Welcome Speech for Teachers Day

Good morning! We welcome everyone today who is here to celebrate this annual event for their beloved teachers. We don’t always get to thank our teachers, but on this day, we pay tribute to our second parents.

They have provided guidance and given their light to educate and lead us to a journey of wonder, discovery, and knowledge. For their efforts, they deserve the greatest of honors and our utmost respect.

Our steadfast yet affectionate teachers should be our role models. They inspire us daily and motivate us to reach our greatest potential. They impart wisdom so that we don’t only excel academically, but as good people and responsible members of our society.

So on Teacher’s Day, it’s all about them and giving them the honor that many take for granted. Thank you, dear teachers!

Welcome Speech for Children’s Day

Good morning everybody!

Today we extend our appreciation and the warmest embrace to our beloved students to celebrate Children’s Day!

It’s been a blessing to be a part of nurturing children’s sense of wonder and imagination. These are qualities we often lose as we grow up, and it’s awesome to witness them happen every day.

Children’s innocence and love are incomparable and difficult to resist. Their smile is the closest thing to heaven that we can glimpse in the world.

School is your children’s second home, and we teachers are their second parents. We thank you for the opportunity to take care of and guide your little angels.

Join us to celebrate our students and make this day as eventful and fun as it can be!

Welcome Speech for Freshers Party

Welcome everyone to our Fresher’s party!

We’ve all gathered here today to celebrate the gift of possibilities and commence the experience of a new beginning.

It’s of utmost pleasure to welcome everyone, especially all my freshers to today’s festivities. I extend my deepest gratitude to all my teachers and everyone who helped make this event a reality. Look at this place, it’s amazing!

University or school life isn’t just about getting a higher education – brace yourself for the adventure of a lifetime! This is the period to create good memories and meet people who can be a permanent part of your academic and later professional lives. May you develop the relationships and acquire the necessary skills to succeed in life.

But for now, let’s leave our worries and cares out in the hall. Let’s celebrate your wise decision to matriculate in our institution. Our college has prepared special events and an entertainment program highlighting some of our talented students.

The next few hours will be memorable and exciting! Thank you for listening and let’s get on with it!

Have a good time!

Welcome Speech Samples for Business

Much like in academic settings, there are more formal events that happen in professional contexts. Some may need a welcome address to introduce special guests or welcome the attendees of a conference. Some are informal events that welcome those who are invited to special occasions at the office and the people they’re honoring. Note down the key phrases and objectives of the samples below and use the same structure in your own welcome or introduction speech in English.

Sample of Welcome Speech for a Goodbye Get-together

Good evening everyone!

Welcome to my farewell party. I know, I know. You all said you’re sorry to see me go, but that you all would need food and entertainment first to deal with your sadness. So here we are. I shall deliver.

As the Semisonic song goes “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” And so it is with great gratitude that the VP in Japan decided to retire early, so the end of his role can mark the beginning of mine. To Toni Takitani, thanks for deciding you’ve had enough!

Kidding aside, I’d like to thank my friends who made this very corporate event a huge success. Look at this, my goodness!

Most importantly, I want to impart my profound gratitude to my boss (name of the boss). Without you, this party won’t have a band. I couldn’t ask for a better mentor. Or I could, but none of them would have changed my life as positively as you have. It saddens me to leave you the most, but it comforts me that you were my biggest source of encouragement to go. Or it may have been your plan all along. Genius!

So to everyone who came, thank you. I’ll have time to thank you properly later, but for now, let’s eat!

Welcome Speech Sample for a Business Conference

Good morning to everyone who came out to join us here today. My name is Julius Kaizer and I’ll be hosting today’s events.

Before anything else, I’d like to take this moment to thank Merville & Posque Inc., their CEO Mr. Hyori Asano and his team for putting this event together in record time. It won’t be possible without your tireless dedication and contributions. I also want to thank everyone who came, our remarkable associates from Osaka, Chiang Rai, and Quezon, our wonderful clients who have stuck with us through thick and thin, and our amazing consultants in various fields of energy conservation. Your interest and patronage are very much appreciated.

A great welcome to all our extraordinary employees and staff members, some of whom have worked and grown along our company’s 23-year history. A big welcome, too, to our interns who have recently joined and brightened our corporate offices.

Today marks the 15th annual MPBC and it’s an honor to be a host in this glorious congress. I myself will be staying for the conference’s entirety to learn what I can about sustainable energy systems and their various implications and impact on the future of our planet.

The activities today will include an overview of all the forums, seminars, and exhibits around the MPBC complex. Second, we will have the inauguration of the new bio-dome on the grounds where we will also honor this year’s retirees. The afternoon’s seminars will kick off after lunch, and I encourage you to attend the discussions and learn about our future plans and projects. Finally, I’d like to encourage everyone to help yourselves to the snack stations in the hallway. Refreshments and sandwiches are on us for the duration of the conference.

I won’t keep you long and let’s begin the day. I wish all of you a valuable and wonderful time! Thank you.

Welcome Speech for a Business Workshop

Good afternoon everyone!

I am so pleased to see you all here. Welcome to my workshop, or should I say “our” workshop. I am truly overjoyed and excited about learning together and helping you reach a breakthrough in industry-scale coding practices.

This workshop aims to cover new software and the importance of earning certificates in several computer applications such as VM Suite, Landscape 5.0, and NF Tech.

I hope you’ll learn a lot in the next few hours and I promise to try to make our activities as engaging and hands-on as possible. Good luck and thanks again for participating in our workshop.

Welcome Speech for Office Events

My name is (your name), the (position in the company), and your host for this meeting. To our CEO (title and name of the CEO), (next are the dignitaries for the company hierarchy if any), all the staff members and their loved ones, and our beloved employees. I welcome you all to the (name of the event) of (name of company).

We are here today to honor our employees’ achievements in their respective fields and departments. Your efforts to attain and sustain the standards we keep aren’t unnoticed. This awarding ceremony seeks to remind us about the value and pride we should have in our accomplishments, and the significance of collaboration and teamwork. It is our spirit of community and faith in our abilities that represent the vision of (name of company). May we continue to grow through hard work, accountability, and cooperation.

To start off with our first award, let’s call up (title and position of the presenter), (name of the presenter).

Welcome Speech Samples for Family Functions

Huge family events often have speeches: weddings, birthdays, farewell parties, funerals, anniversaries, and so on. Some of these events normally have hosts and esteemed guests. Here are some tips and samples to inspire you.

Tips on Welcoming the Chief Guest?

If you’re searching for tips on how to make a welcome speech for guest, here are some things you can do:

• When drafting your speech, do the research.
• Highlight the key qualities that are worth mentioning in an opening welcome speech for event.
• Take note of the welcome address speech sample in this article and create a framework from them.
• Look up welcome speech quotes and choose the best one to use somewhere in your speech.
• Greet the chief guest at the event personally and introduce yourself if you don’t know each other.
• Extend your hard for a handshake and smile to express that they are honored and welcome to the event.
• Smile and suggest they are being welcomed.
• Address them formally with the usual Miss or Mr.
• Escort the chief guest before you assume host duties.

Welcoming the Chief Guest with a Short Speech

It’s a great honor to welcome our Chief guest and tonight’s keynote speaker. I was worried at first about how to introduce (title and name of Chief guest) because any introduction would pale in comparison to the reality and immensity of her/his accomplishments.

(Enumerate the main accomplishments of the chief guest).

She/he is the ultimate inspiration for young professionals everywhere who want to succeed in the field of international trade. Here to inspire us with her career journey and all the experiences she accumulated along the day, join me in giving a round of applause to (title and name of chief guest).

Welcoming the Chief Guest (Longer Version of the Speech)

Introducing our next attendee is a great pleasure of mine. When she/he accepted our invitation to be tonight’s Chief guest and keynote speaker, I almost jumped for joy. Then I realized I would naturally receive the task of introducing her/him. At first, this gave me great anxiety. How would I be able to pull it off and deliver an introduction that would give her background justice? Then I thought, no introduction would ever compare, so it was foolish to aim for success when failure is guaranteed. So I decided to just do it. Our chief guest has accomplished the following, to name a few:

As I looked at her/his professional and personal successes, I realized here is a woman/man who was faced many times with the certainty of failure but had given her circumstances a grad twist by attaining success against all odds. Then I thought, perhaps I should aim for success in this speech, after all.

She/he is an inspiration to many, not only for all the fields of expertise she has earned and the extreme success that went with the process, but she/he has also set the benchmark for philanthropy and good deeds. She/he has done this quietly, too, and she/he might strangle me for revealing it to the public. I didn’t even know half of the wonderful things she/he has done for our community before my research.

Without further ado, and here to inspire us with her wisdom and grand skill, join me in welcoming our Chief guest (title and name of chief guest).

Welcome Speech for Parents

Hi everyone!

As host and brother of the groom, I’d like to take this time to introduce the parents of the bride. Without them, my brother wouldn’t be the lucky and happy man he is today. More than that, I have witnessed how they accepted my brother and treated him as a son long before the engagement. I often tag along on family trips and have spent hours of wonderful conversations with them. Apart from my own parents, they are two of the most affectionate and hospitable people I’ve ever met. If I could meet a woman whose parents are just like them, I’d consider myself half as lucky as my brother.

Let’s give a round of applause for (names of the bride’s parents). Thank you for embracing my brother into the fold.

Welcome Speech Samples for National Holidays

Below is a sample of a welcome speech typically delivered during Annual Day. Substitute the appropriate details to match your information and use the framework in other speeches reserved for national holidays.

Welcome Speech for Annual Day

I am overjoyed to have this chance to welcome all of you to our elite institution’s 25th Annual Day. Today’s children are the hope of the next generation. All these graduates we see today, receiving awards for their achievements will go on to lead successful lives. Let them live up to the expectations set before them.

I am very happy to be a member of such an elite school where we learned from such great professors who teach us beyond the boundaries of the ordinary classroom. They’re also the minds and hands behind such a big event every year. I’d like to use this chance to organize such a wonderful event this year. It’s also a great pleasure of mine to introduce our Chief Guest.

Welcome speeches are necessary at events. They usually set the tone or expectations of the people who attended or participated in the occasion. There are many ways in going about delivering a welcome address speech. Review the samples in this article and do your due diligence to craft an outline, framework, or skeleton from the contents that you can use in welcome speeches of your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

A good welcome speech has the following qualities: * It is sincere. * It can hold the attention of the audience. * The ideas don’t ramble. * Welcome address quotes are used. One for a short welcome speech, and 2 for a longer one. Never 3, unless the speaker is trying to be funny. * The contents are relevant to the event. * It has an impressive anecdote. * The length doesn’t exceed 5 minutes.

The last segment of this article contains tips on welcoming chief guests, esteemed guests, or guests of honor. The tips contained here can be divided into things to consider while drafting the welcome speech, and things to do at the event itself when meeting the chief guest.

A simple thank you would suffice. Make sure you reiterate your gratitude. Some welcome speeches can end with a line that welcomes the guest of honor.

Depending on the context, a welcome speech doesn’t always need to be impressive. In some situations, a straightforward introduction is all you need. However, in some circumstances like commencement ceremonies, farewell parties, dinners, and some others, the audience is prepared to listen to long speeches. In this case, the speech needs to catch the attention of the attendees and maintain their interest. An impressive welcome speech often has an emotional element. Not just parroting big words to describe a person’s achievements or flatter them. Try to use humor if you’re funny by nature or if you can deliver the punchline well. Use popular quotes in your speech. Tell anecdotes relevant to the attendees. Or reveal an epiphany. These are how you should draft a welcome speech set to impress.

Make sure that it is relevant to the content of your welcome speech or the point you’re making. You can use phrases such as the following: * According to… * As the old saying goes… * There’s a quote that has always stuck with me… * Events like this always remind me of one of my favorite quotes… Try to find quotes that are unique and not cliche. You can find some in the lyrics of contemporary music, or lines and dialogues from books and movies, and so on.

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Inauguration Speech

Inauguration speech generator.

Elections are a very stressful and overwhelming time for most people. It is the time when the right to suffrage is practiced by the people in order to vote for the candidates they think are worthy of the positions they run for. Not only that, the results of the elections will help determine the future of state, town, and most especially the whole country. It is a very significant and one of the most important days when people have to decide on what and who will be good for the whole state and country.

• Delivering an Iconic Speech & Examples and Tips
• Demonstrative Speech Examples – PDF

During the elections period, you need to choose the candidate that best stands for what you believe is just and right. After a certain period intended for the candidates’ campaigns, the election day immediately follows. During the exact date for the election, you go to your poll, fill out your ballot, and put it the ballot box; you have officially cast your vote. Then what happens? After all the votes are counted, and the winning candidates are announced, an inauguration then follows. You often hear the word  inauguration  on election period. But what does that really mean and what does this entail?

What Happens on Inauguration Day?

By definition, inauguration means the beginning or introduction of a system, policy, or period; the formal admission of someone to office, or a ceremony to mark the beginning of something. During election period, inauguration is a formal ceremony wherein an elected public official begins his/her term of office. Although the word is commonly used and associated with elections, it can also mean the opening or first public use of a new civic area, organization, or project such as new library, museum, hospital, etc. Simply put, inauguration pertains to a new beginning, be it about people in office or newly opened buildings or infrastructures.

Since the inauguration day during the election period is the most common example, you should know what happens during the said event in the USA. On the exact date of the scheduled inauguration day, it starts with a morning worship service. The morning worship service is a tradition during such a monumental day that started in 1993 with Franklin D. Roosevelt and his first lady Eleanor; they attended church at St. John’s Episcopal Church near the White House. It has then set a precedent that has been diligently followed by all the other newly elected high officials of the country.

After the morning worship service, the procession to the Capitol follows. Although there have been changes with the vehicles used during the procession, this has been a tradition since the inauguration of George Washington in 1789 to have the president-elect, the vice president-elect and their spouses proceed to the swearing-in ceremony in the White House. They are escorted by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC). It is an iconic procession that leads to the grounds where the newly elected president and vice president of the country will take their oath.

The vice president’s swearing-in  ceremony is immediately conducted once the procession arrives at the White House. This is when the vice president takes his/her oath of office. According to the U.S. constitution, the vice president doesn’t have a specific oath unlike that of the president. There has been quite a few officials who have administered the vice president’s oath. After this follows the president’s swearing-in ceremony where the chief justice of the Supreme Court administers the president’s oath. Some past inaugurations were held in front of New York’s Federal Hall and in Philadelphia like that of George Washington’s swearing-in ceremony, It wasn’t until 1801 when the swearing-in ceremony move to its current location in Washington, DC.

After all the swearing-in of the highest ranking elected official, the inaugural address follows. The tradition of giving an inauguration address began with George Washington with the shortest inauguration speech on record with only 135 words for his entire speech. However, the tradition many early presidents delivered their address before taking oath, the proceeding has been changed and the speech follows the oath. After the speech, the outgoing president and his spouse departs from the White House to proceed on their post-presidential lives. In the past, previous presidents leave the Capitol a day or two before the oath of the incoming president. But on the current days, incoming presidents and vice presidents have escorted the previous officials following the swearing-in ceremony.

After all the public appearances portion of the inauguration day, it has also been a tradition to hold an inauguration luncheon hosted by the JCCIC for the president, vice president, their spouses and other dignitaries. Following the luncheon, the newly elected president and vice president proceeds to Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House as a procession of ceremonial military regiments, citizens’ groups, marching bands, and floats follow. After the inaugural parade, a tradition inaugural ball follows. The tradition for the inaugural ball began in 1809 with James Madison’s inauguration.

As you may have noticed, there is a strict procedure that needs to be followed when it comes to the inauguration day. Although there have been changes, the same steps however in different order are still followed up to this day.

Washington’s First Inaugural Address Example

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JFK Inaugural Address Example

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Reagan’s Inaugural Speech Example

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Thomas Flynn Inauguration Speech Example

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Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address Example

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How to Craft an Inaugural Speech

An inauguration speech can either leave the audience inspired and in awe or leave them bored and uninspired. As you may now know based on the discussion above, the highest ranking elected official delivers the inauguration speech where he/she can set the tone of the presidency. However, making these speeches is not an easy feat. To help you with crafting your own inspirational inauguration speech, an easy guide is provided below:

1. Choose an appropriate greeting for your audience

The greeting of your speech should set the tone for your entire speech. You should be able to open the speech warmly and let your audience feel as if they are a part of the momentous celebration. There are a couple of ways you can open the speech. It can be done through saying a quote, using a “what if” or “imagine” scenario, ask a question, use statistics, use statement or phrase, and so on. You should make the audience feel that you are as excited and as happy as they are with the celebration.

Here are some examples of inaugural speech greetings by previous US presidents:

• “I ask you to share with me today the majesty of this moment. In the orderly transfer of power, we celebrate the unity that keeps us free.” — Richard M. Nixon , 1969
• “For myself and for our nation, I want to thank my predecessor for all he has done to heal our land.” — Jimmy Carter , 1977
• “Today we celebrate the mystery of American renewal. This ceremony is held in the depth of winter, but by the words we speak and the faces we show the world, we force the spring, a spring reborn in the world’s oldest democracy that brings forth the vision and courage to reinvent America.” — Bill Clinton , 1993

2. Describe the state of the nation

In this part of the speech you should remind the people of the current state of the nation. However, that does not mean you only include all the negative, also give emphasis on the positive things that have happened in the nation. This will help you set the tone for your term; if you feel like the negative outweighs the positive, then bring focus to that. Let the audience get in touch of the actual happenings of the present. Let them understand that the nation has still so much to improve on that way you can invoke them to do something about it together with you.

3. Pick a relevant issue and lay out your presidential plan

Although there will always be a lot of issues going on at the same time, as they say, you have to pick your battles. You have to know what your people want you to prioritize. Pick the issue you know the people have been wanting change for quite a while. Once you know what you have to work on, you set your plans on how to resolve the issue. And in your speech, express your presidential plans or the platforms you have ever since the campaign periods. Make the people know you are serious and determined to solve the issue be it about poverty, war, foreign policy, equality, and so on.

4. Inspire your audience

After you remind the people of the difficulties your nation is battling with, you need to give them hope that everything will be all right, that you will give your all in order to solve the current issues you country is facing. Aside from that, you need to inspire them to do their part, inspire them to give you a hand to resolve such matters. Inspire them to be better and responsible citizens of the country. You can use a quote, a strong phrase, or post a challenge to effectively get your point across.

5. Close your speech

If you think you have discussed or mentioned all the important points, you have to formally end you speech. And although it’s the end of the speech, let them know that you are still with them and you will fight their battles with them.

• “I am loath to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot gave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of of the Union, when again touched, as surely as they will be, by the better angels of our nature.” — Abraham Lincoln , 1861
• “Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested, we refused to let this journey end; that we did not turn back, nor did we falter. And with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations. Thank you. God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.” — Barack Obama , 2009     

University President Inaugural Speech Example

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Attorney General Inaugural Remarks Example

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Ben Franklin Inaugural Speech Example

Size: 405 KB

CMA Incoming President Inaugural Speech Example

Size: 85 KB

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How to write a welcome speech in 3 steps

With a printable welcome speech planner, outline and a sample welcome speech

By:  Susan Dugdale  

So, you've been asked to give a short welcome speech for an event. Congratulations! And now you want to be doubly sure you get it right. The right content. The right tone. Plus, the right length!

You'll find everything here you need to do that easily, from start to finish. 

Jump in. You are just three steps away from a completed welcome speech. Shall we start?

The fastest and best way to get your speech done is to:

• skim read this page to get an overview of the speech writing process, ( the welcome speech template and the planner you're going to use), to  read the example welcome speech , and to find out more about the function of a welcome speech and the importance of its tone .
• then download, print and complete the welcome speech planner .
• and lastly, use the notes you made in the planner to write your welcome speech . To help with that, you can download and print the outline of my example welcome speech to use.  Edit, and add your information to make the speech your own.

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The welcome speech template

To be effective your welcome speech needs to meet expected, as well as any specific, requirements dictated by the occasion.

The 6 standard welcome speech content ingredients

There are six common or standard content items in a good welcome speech.

• Greetings to welcome everyone and thanking them for coming along.
• Acknowledgement of special guests, if there are any.
• An introduction of the event itself and a brief overview of special highlights the audience will want to know about.
• Any important housekeeping information, for instance: where the bathrooms are, where lunch will be served and when...
• An introduction for the next speaker, if there is one.
• Thanking everyone for coming once more and then concluding having made everybody feel at ease, eagerly anticipating what is to come.

Numbers 1, 3, and 6 are basic essentials you cannot do without. Numbers 2, 4 and 5 may, or may not, be applicable. Pick what you need from them to fit your occasion.

Short sample welcome speech for a conference 

Now let's put all six ingredients into an example of a short welcome speech to open a conference that you can adapt for your own speech.

* (This speech is pure fiction! I made it up to show you how it's done. You'll see its tone is formal rather than informal to fit the occasion. I don't think there is a group called Parents United. However, there are others with a similar mission: 10 Inspiring Organizations that Promote Literacy and Education .)  

Example welcome speech - "Readers by Right"

"Sue-Ellen Thomas, Jim Smith, Jane Brown and all of our guests, good morning!

My name is April Molloy, and it's my privilege and great pleasure on behalf of Parents United to welcome you all here today.

We are delighted to have you with us to participate and share in this special occasion, our 5th annual Children's Day Conference. Thank you for coming. That many of you have willingly traveled long distances to be here serves as a reminder to us all just how important our work is.

Parents United is committed to actively raising the quality of life for every child. We want all children, regardless of race, creed or circumstance to achieve their full potential. Our task is to make it possible. Our mission is to provide practical, step by step assistance.

This year our theme is literacy. We've named the day 'Readers by Right'.

Thanks to the 1948 United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we are aware of 'rights' in many spheres, including education.  Article 26 declared it should be compulsory and free for children.

That goal is as pertinent today as it was then. And it's a goal I know we all share - the full development of every child. As a body, Parents United recognizes good reading skills established in childhood as the foundation of fulfilling, and ongoing education.

We are honored to have Sue-Ellen Thomas, Jim Smith and Jane Brown with us today. All three are esteemed specialists in teaching young children to read.

Sue-Ellen has worked for a long time with educational authorities to establish programs putting in place necessary pre-reading skills. Her hard work needs no introduction. The results speak for themselves.

Jim and Jane bring their passion, and knowledge of how to reach those in our communities who are frequently overlooked or bypassed. Their work among disadvantaged English-as-a-second-language families has bridged gaps that were deep dark chasms.

Prepare yourself to be challenged, excited and inspired.

And before I handover to Lesley Watts, our coordinator for 'Readers by Right', who will outline the day's various events, I want to say once more on behalf of the Parents United organizing committee, welcome. It's wonderful to see so many of you here." 

Get your welcome speech started

To shortcut wondering, "Should I say this?" or "Maybe I should say that?" and "Then again there's also ...", I have a very simple solution for you.

Get yourself a printable welcome speech planner

Download and print my  special greeting address planner .

It covers ALL the necessary ingredients that go into preparing a successful welcome speech. It's simple to use and easily filled out. Once it's done, writing your speech will be a lot less hassle as you'll have the core content ready to work with.

Writing your welcome speech

Tips to help you get your speech right.

When you're entering information into your speech planner:

• ensure you've got all the names of individuals or special guests you need to mention specifically and, that you know how to pronounce each of them. Also check that you know and use their preferred pronouns: them/they, she/her, he/him...
• double check the remarks you're going to make about them, or anything else, are factually correct.

Use your introduction of your guests/or the event, as a "teaser" for what is going to come. It will help create anticipation in the audience. Don't ruin it by giving too much away! Just enough to tempt and no more.

Keep it brief. One to two minutes is generally sufficient.

(The word count of my sample welcome speech is 357. It will take approximately 2 minutes to say .) 

Use the S-S-S formula for success: Short, Simple and Sincere. Your listeners will appreciate it.

Get a printable welcome speech outline

If you would like to use and adapt the structure I used in my sample speech as the foundation for your welcome speech, click the link to download the printable: welcome speech outline .

Then edit; delete, amend and add, until you are done.

Get a hand with vocabulary

If you're stuck for words, here's a large selection of  adaptable welcoming phrases with example s entences.  Reading through them could help you to find exactly what you want.

What does a good welcome speech do?

An effective welcome speech has three important functions. It:

• signals the official beginning of an event . It says to the audience, hush, sit down, stop talking and listen. What you came for is starting!
• sets the tone for the occasion through the choice of language used . For example, using light-hearted and informal words to welcome guests to a dear friend's birthday party may be completely appropriate.  However, the same type of language to welcome family and friends to a memorial service is unlikely to be. In that setting, people generally expect a more solemn and formal word choice. They could be deeply offended and think the use of casual language is disrespectful.  Understanding and getting tone right is a key element in the overall success of your welcome speech.  
• unites the audience . It draws everyone together in the common purpose at the heart of the occasion. For example, at a birthday party, the welcome speech invites everyone to join in celebrating the person whose birthday it is. The welcome speech opening a specialist conference will affirm its principal purpose: the coming together of people with mutual interests to meet and share new knowledge. Or if a welcome speech is given to newcomers in a workplace, club or educational setting, its purpose is to give an introductory overview of how things work to help them feel more at ease in their new situation - to help them develop a sense of belonging.

Getting the tone right for an event

What is tone.

Tone is the combined impact of the words chosen to express something, with how they are structured and, delivered.  All three elements come together to create tone * . 

Get tone wrong, and your welcome speech is a disaster.

Get it right, and it's a triumph!

(Yes, that's hyperbole but I'm sure you get the idea. ☺)

* Tone - a mood, quality or feeling

How to choose the right words

The beginning of getting tone right is to think about your audience and the event itself. Your goal is to unite and bring them together in the main purpose at the core of the occasion. What type of language will do that most appropriately and easily?

To answer that question, think about the common interest everybody shares - the principal reason behind them getting together.  It will help guide your language choice.

Is it a fun event like a birthday party for close friends and family? If so, then informal language is likely to be the most apt.

You might hear something along the lines of: "Well, here we all are! The big day has finally arrived. Jean-Marie is 50! Half a century! How on earth did that happen?"

If it's a remembrance service for someone who has recently died, the language you're likely to hear is more formal.

For example: "Friends, family, colleagues, thank you for joining us today to celebrate and give thanks for our dear Jean-Marie. Your presence is gratefully appreciated." 

What is appropriate? What is expected?  Do spend some time thinking tone through. Misunderstanding and getting it wrong can be very embarrassing for everyone. If in doubt, ask someone whose opinion you trust.

Related helpful pages

Help rehearsing your welcome speech.

Get  step by step instructions on how to rehearse  including how to make and use cue cards.

And please do rehearse. It makes a huge difference! You'll sound, and look better. Taking the time to rehearse shows respect for yourself, the audience and the event. Truly.

Help to manage pre-speech jitters

Nervous? If you're shaking in your boots at the thought of having to speak in front of an audience, click  overcoming public speaking fear  for assistance. Take your time. The page has 14 tried and tested suggestions to consider.

Help with other types of welcome speeches

Or perhaps you need  welcome to the family speeches   or a  church welcome speech sample ? Click the links to find easily adaptable examples.

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The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500

Remarks by President   Biden at the Inaugural Ceremony of the Ninth Summit of the   Americas

Microsoft Theater Los Angeles, California

6:00 P.M. PDT THE PRESIDENT:  Good evening.  Please be seated.  Welcome to Los Angeles.  (Applause.)  And I probably should stop right here because I’ve followed some difficult acts in the past. AUDIENCE MEMBER:  No fossil fuels!  No!  No fossil fuels! THE PRESIDENT:  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)  I followed some difficult acts, but never before have I followed such a difficult act as I’ve seen the last 45 minutes up here.  It’s an honor to host my fellow leaders from throughout the — our hemisphere for the ninth Summit of the Americas at a moment when we need more cooperation, common purpose, and transformative ideas that have never been a greater need than today. I also want to welcome all the representatives from civil society, the private sector, international institutions, and especially young people from across the Americas who are participating in this summit.  (Applause.) Democracy is a hallmark of our region.  Our Inter-American Democratic Charter, which grew out of the third Summit of the Americas, captures our unique commitment to democracy as a region.  It affirms the right of people throughout the Americas to democracy and our obligation as governments to promote and defend democracy. As we meet again today, in a moment when democracy is under assault around the world, let us unite again and renew our conviction that democracy is not only the defining feature of American histories, but the essential ingredient to Americas’ futures.  Folks — (applause) — to state the obvious, our region is large and diverse.  We don’t always agree on everything, but because we’re democracies, we work through our disagreements with mutual respect and dialogue.  At this summit, we have an opportunity for us to come together around some bold ideas, ambitious actions, and to demonstrate to our people the incredible power of democracies to deliver concrete benefits and make life better for everyone.  Everyone. And no longer is this a question of what will we do — what will the United States do for the Americas.  The question is what we accomplish by working together as true partners with diverse capabilities but equal and mutual respect, recognizing both our individual sovereignty and our shared responsibilities.  The COVID-19 pandemic hit our region particularly hard.  While we account for just 12 percent of the global population, we experienced more than 40 percent of reported global pandemic-related deaths.  It’s an enormous tragedy that has left too many families grief-stricken.  And the ensuing economic crisis, triggered by the pandemic, ravaged economies throughout the hemisphere, wiping out much of the hard-earned progress we had made.  Twenty-two million more people fell into poverty in just the first year of the pandemic. Inequity continues to rise.  Global inflammatory [inflationary] pressures — were made worse by Putin’s brutal and unprovoked war against Ukraine — are making it harder for families to make ends meet.  And all of these factors are contributing to vastly increased migration flows throughout our hemisphere with too many people feeling there is no option available to them to provide for themselves and their families. These challenges affect all of us.  All of our nations have a responsibility to step up and ease the pressure people are feeling today. In the months leading up to this summit, countries have made meaningful and concrete commitments to address these challenges.  And the United States is attempting to do our part as well. Yesterday, we launched our Cities Forward initiative, recognizing the key roles of mayors and local governments — the role they play in delivering for the people where they live.  And we’ll host the inaugural Cities Summit of the Americas in Denver in 2023.  Earlier today, we announced a new America[s] Health Corps with 50,000 [500,000] public health and medical professionals being trained in the region over the next five years to help strengthen our health systems throughout the hemisphere.  In the next few days, we’ll be rolling out another new initiative created in cooperation with many of your countries.  It includes the U.S.-Caribbean partnership to address the climate crisis, which the Vice President Harris will lead for our country, and a collaboration among the United States — (applause) — the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, and Mexico — the hemisphere’s largest exporters of food — to increase food production for export, as well as increase fertilizer production for transportation — and transportation. Our leaders, all of us, as we discuss ways to better target more than a half a billion dollars of — the United States is devoting to increasing security for our citizens, working with partners to disrupt transnational criminal organizations, go after drug traffickers and illicit firearms, advancing anticorruption efforts, and strengthening the rule of law. And tonight, I’m announcing a new economic partnership that builds on all the work we have done with the region and will guide our engagement going forward.  We’re calling it “Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity,” and it’s grounded on the same core values that my administration is bringing to our own strong economic recovery and to bolster long-term economic competitiveness in the United States. First, the American [Americas] Partnership will help economies grow from the bottom up and the middle out, not the top down.  What’s true — (applause) — what’s true in the United States is true in every country: Trickle-down economics does not work.  (Applause.) But when we invest in strengthening workers and the middle class, the poor have a ladder up, and those at the top do just fine.  That’s how we can increase opportunity and decrease persistent inequity.  We need to break the cycle where marginalized communities are hit the hardest by disasters and have the fewest resources to recover from crises and prepare for the next one. Together, we have to invest in making sure our trade is sustainable and responsible and creating supply chains that are more resilient, more secure, and more sustainable. By working with close friends who share our values, we can make sure that we are not left vulnerable to unexpected shocks while generating economic opportunity for the people in our region.  Second, the Americas Partnership will foster innovation and help governments to deliver for their own people.  People everywhere expect their government to help give them just a little bit of breathing room, provide opportunities for work that pays a decent wage, educate children so they can rise as high as their talents can take them, make communities more secure so families feel safe in their homes and individuals know their rights will be respected.  That means directing investment to help governments deliver on those responsibilities, including modernize — modernizing multilateral development banks to better address the challenges of today and of the future.  For example, many countries in our region have prospered — have profited over — prospered overall, making it harder for them to secure development lending.  But they struggle with deep inequity.  I’m proposing a fundamental reforms to the Inter- –Inter-American Development Bank Group.  And the United States is ready to put our new capital in the bank’s private sector lending arm — the IDB investment — (applause) — to help capitalize [catalyze] in the critical flow of private capital into the region, especially to those startup, digital connectivity, renewable energy, and health. Third, the American [Americas] Partnership will tackle the climate crisis head on, with the same mentality we’re bringing to the work in the United States.  When I hear “climate,” I think jobs — good-paying, high-quality jobs that will help speed our transition — (applause) — to a green economy of the future and unleash sustainable growth; jobs in developing and deploying clean energy; jobs in decarbonizing the economy; jobs in protecting biodiversity of our hemisphere; jobs that will provide dignity of being able to feed your family, give your children a better life, and envision a future of possibilities. That’s what this is all about: responding to basic human desires that we share for dignity, for safety, and for security.  And when those basics are absent in one place, that’s when people make the desperate decision to seek them elsewhere. So, on Friday, we’ll also come together to la- — to launch the Los Angeles Declaration, a ground-breaking, integrated new approach to managing migration and sharing responsibility across the hemisphere. The declaration represents a mutual commitment to invest in regional solutions that enhance stability, increase opportunities for safe and orderly migration through the region, and crack down on criminal and human trafficking who prey on desperate people.  (Applause.) Safe and orderly migration is good for all of our economies, including the United States.  It can be a catalyst for sustainable growth.  But unlawful migration is not acceptable.  And we will enforce our borders, including through innovative, coordinated action with our regional partners. We’ve come a long way together since the United States hosted the first Summit of the Americas 28 years ago.  But the “Spirit of Miami,” as it was known — the sense of hope and new possibilities that defined that first summit — remains key to facing the challenges of today and unlocking the incredible potential that exists in this hemisphere — in the Americas. There is no reason why the Western Hemisphere shouldn’t be secure, prosperous, and democratic, from Canada’s northernmost reaches to the southern tips of Chile.  We have all the tools we need right here in our own hemisphere.  Our people are dynamic and innovative.  Our nations are committed to working in partnership.  And our region is forever knit together by the close bonds of family and enduring friendship. We see it here in Los Angeles, as you heard earlier, a city that has been shaped from its earliest days and strengthened over the decades by the rich and diverse con- — contributions from people of all our nations.  It’s written in the murals, the markets, the thoroughfares that crisscross the city, bearing witness to the history, struggle, and the indomitable spirit of the people of the Americas. This city is testament to the connections that bind us and our capacity to achieve great things together. So tonight, let’s enjoy a wonderful celebration.  Let us leave here renewed with purpose and a renewed partnership.  And tomorrow, let’s get to work building the future this region deserves.  Thank you all.  And again, welcome, welcome, welcome. (Applause.) 6:13 P.M. PDT

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Read Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration speech transcript

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Following a chaotic 2020 campaign against Donald Trump, Joe Biden has officially been sworn in as the 46th president of the United States. You can watch a video of him giving his speech . See below the transcript of his full inauguration speech:

Chief Justice Roberts, Vice President Harris, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Vice President Pence, and my distinguished guests, my fellow Americans, this is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day of history and hope, of renewal and resolve. Through a crucible for the ages, America has been tested anew and America has risen to the challenge.

Today, we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate, but of a cause. The cause of democracy. The people, the will of the people has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded. We’ve learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. And at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.

So now, on this hallowed ground, where just a few days ago violence sought to shake the Capitol’s very foundation, we come together as one nation under God, indivisible, to carry out the peaceful transfer of power as we have for more than two centuries.

As we look ahead in our uniquely American way — restless, bold, optimistic — and set our sights on the nation we know we can be and we must be. I thank my predecessors of both parties for their presence here today. I thank them from the bottom of my heart and I know—

And I know the resilience of our Constitution and the strength, the strength of our nation, as does President Carter who I spoke with last night who cannot be with us today but whom we salute for his lifetime of service.

I’ve just taken a sacred oath each of those patriots have taken. The oath first sworn by George Washington. But the American story depends not in any one of us, not on some of us, but on all of us. On we, the people who seek a more perfect union. This is a great nation. We are good people. And over the centuries, through storm and strife, in peace and in war, we’ve come so far, but we still have far to go.

We’ll press forward with speed and urgency for we have much to do in this winter of peril and significant possibilities. Much to repair, much to restore, much to heal, much to build and much to gain.

Few people in our nation’s history have been more challenged or found a time more challenging or difficult than the time we are in now. Once-in-a-century virus that silently stalks the country has taken as many lives in one year as America lost in all of World War II.

Millions of jobs have been lost. Hundreds of thousands of businesses closed. A cry for racial justice some 400 years in the making moves us. The dream of justice for all will be deferred no longer.

The cry for survival comes from the planet itself. A cry that can’t be any more desperate or any more clear. And now a rise of political extremism, white supremacy, domestic terrorism that we must confront and we will defeat.

To overcome these challenges, to restore the soul and secure the future of America requires so much more than words. It requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy. Unity. Unity.

In another January, on New Year’s Day in 1863, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. When he put pen to paper, the president said, and I quote, “If my name ever goes down into history, it will be for this act and my whole soul is in it.”

My whole soul is in it.

Today on this January day, my whole soul is in this. Bringing America together. Uniting our people. Uniting our nation. And I ask every American to join me in this cause.

Uniting to fight the foes we face: anger, resentment, and hatred, extremism, lawlessness, violence, disease, joblessness and hopelessness.

With unity, we can do great things, important things. We can right wrongs. We can put people to work in good jobs. We can teach our children in safe schools. We can overcome the deadly virus. We can reward work and rebuild the middle class and make healthcare secure for all. We can deliver racial justice, and we can make America once again the leading force for good in the world.

I know speaking of unity can sound to some like a foolish fantasy these days. I know the forces that divide us are deep, and they are real, but I also know they are not new. Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal that we are all created equal and the harsh, ugly reality that racism, nativism, fear, demonization have long torn us apart. The battle is perennial, and victory is never assured.

Through Civil War, the Great Depression, world war, 9/11, through struggle, sacrifice and setbacks, our better angels have always prevailed. In each of these moments, enough of us, enough of us have come together to carry all of us forward, and we can do that now.

History, faith and reason show the way, the way of unity. We can see each other not as adversaries but as neighbors. We can treat each other with dignity and respect. We can join forces, stop the shouting and lower the temperature.

For without unity, there is no peace, only bitterness and fury; no progress, only exhausting outrage; no nation, only a state of chaos. This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge, and unity is the path forward. And we must meet this moment as the United States of America.

If we do that, I guarantee you we will not fail. We have never ever, ever, ever failed in America when we have acted together, and so today at this time in this place, let’s start off fresh, all of us. Let’s begin to listen to one another again, hear one another, see one another, show respect to one another. Politics doesn’t have to be a raging fire destroying everything in its path. Every disagreement doesn’t have to be a cause for total war, and we must reject the culture in which facts themselves are manipulated and even manufactured.

My fellow Americans, we have to be different than this. America has to be better than this, and I believe America is so much better than this. Just look around here. We stand in the shadow of the Capitol dome as was mentioned earlier completed amid the Civil War when the Union itself was literally hanging in the balance.

Yet we endured, we prevailed. Here we stand, looking out on the great mall where Dr. King spoke of his dream. Here we stand where, 108 years ago, at another inaugural, thousands of protesters tried to block brave women marching for the right to vote, and today we mark the swearing-in of the first woman in American history elected to national office, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Don’t tell me things can’t change. Here we stand across the Potomac from Arlington Cemetery where heroes who gave the last full measure of devotion rest in eternal peace, and here we stand just days after a riotous mob thought they could use violence to silence the will of the people, to stop the work of our democracy, to drive us from this sacred ground. It did not happen; it will never happen, not today, not tomorrow, not ever. Not ever.

To all of those who supported our campaign, I am humbled by the faith you have placed in us. To all of those who did not support us, let me say this: Hear me out as we move forward, take a measure of me and my heart. If you still disagree, so be it. That’s democracy, that’s America. The right to dissent peaceably within the guardrails of our republic is perhaps this nation’s greatest strength. Yet hear me clearly: Disagreement must not lead to disunion, and I pledge this to you: I will be a president for all Americans, all Americans.

And I promise you I will fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did.

Many centuries ago, St. Augustine, a saint in my church, wrote that a people was a multitude defined by the common objects of their love, defined by the common objects of their love. What are the common objects we as Americans love that define us as Americans? I think we know. Opportunity, security, liberty, dignity, respect, honor, and yes, the truth.

Recent weeks and months have taught us a painful lesson. There is truth and there are lies, lies told for power and for profit, and each of us has a duty and a responsibility — as citizens, as Americans and especially as leaders, leaders who have pledged to honor our Constitution and protect our nation — to defend the truth and defeat the lies.

Look, I understand that many of my fellow Americans view the future with fear and trepidation. I understand they worry about their jobs. I understand, like my dad, they lay at bed staring at night — staring at the ceiling wondering can I keep my healthcare, can I pay my mortgage? Thinking about their families, about what comes next. I promise you I get it, but the answer is not to turn inward, to retreat into competing factions, distrusting those who don’t look like — look like you or worship the way you do or don’t get their news from the same source as you do.

We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal. We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts if we show a little tolerance and humility and if we are willing to stand in the other person’s shoes as my mom would say just for a moment stand in their shoes because here’s the thing about life, there’s no accounting for what fate will deal you.

Some days when you need a hand, there are other days when we are called to lend a hand. That is how it has to be, and that is what we do for one another, and if we are this way, our country will be stronger, more prosperous, more ready for the future, and we can still disagree.

My fellow Americans in the work ahead of us, we are going to need each other. We need all of our strength to persevere through this dark winter. We are entering what may be the toughest and deadliest period of the virus. We must set aside politics and finally face this pandemic as one nation, one nation.

And I promise you that this, as the Bible said, weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning. We will get through this together, together.

Look, folks, all of my colleagues I have served with in the House and the Senate up here, we all understand the world is watching, watching all of us today, so here is my message to those beyond our borders: America has been tested and we’ve come out stronger for it. We will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again, not to meet yesterday’s challenges but today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.

And we’ll lead not merely by the example of our power, by the power of our example.

We’ll be a strong and trusted partner for peace, progress, and security.

Look, you all know we’ve been through so much in this nation. And in my first act as president, I’d like to ask you to join me in a moment of silent prayer, remember all those who we lost this past year to the pandemic, those 400,000 fellow Americans, moms, dads, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, friends, neighbors and coworkers.

We will honor them by becoming the people in the nation we know we can and should be. So, I ask you let’s say a silent prayer for those who’ve lost their lives and those left behind and for our country.

Folks, this is a time of testing. We face an attack on our democracy and on truth, a raging virus, growing inequity, the sting of systemic racism, a climate in crisis, America’s role in the world. Any one of these would be enough to challenge us in profound ways, but the fact is we face them all at once, presenting this nation with a — one of the gravest responsibilities we had.

Now we’re going to be tested. Are we going to step up, all of us? It’s time for boldness for there is so much to do. And this is certain. I promise you we will be judged, you and I, by how we resolve these cascading crises of our era.

We will rise to the occasion is the question. Will we master this rare and difficult hour? Will we meet our obligations and pass along a new and better world to our children?

I believe we must. I’m sure you do as well. I believe we will. And when we do, we’ll write the next great chapter in the history of the United States of America, the American story, a story that might sound something like a song that means a lot to me. It’s called “American Anthem.” There’s one verse that stands out at least for me, and it goes like this.

“The work and prayers of century have brought us to this day. What shall be our legacy? What will our children say? Let me know in my heart when my days are through America, America, I gave my best to you.”

Let’s add — let’s us add our own work and prayers to the unfolding story of our great nation. If we do this, then when our days are through our children and our children’s children will say of us: They gave their best. They did their duty. They healed a broken land.

My fellow Americans, I close today where I began, with a sacred oath. Before God and all of you, I give you my word I will always level with you. I will defend the Constitution. I’ll defend our democracy. I’ll defend America. And I will give all, all of you, keep everything you — I do in your service, thinking not of power but of possibilities, not of personal interest but the public good. And together, we shall write an American story of hope, not fear; of unity, not division; of light, not darkness; a story of decency and dignity, love and healing, greatness and goodness.

May this be the story that guides us, the story that inspires us, and the story that tells ages yet to come that we answered the call of history. We met the moment. Democracy and hope, truth and justice did not die on our watch but thrived, that America secured liberty at home and stood once again is a beacon to the world. That is what we owe our forbears, one another, and generation to follow.

So, with purpose and result, we turn to those tasks of our time, sustained by faith, driven by conviction, devoted to one another in the country we love with all our hearts. May God bless America and may God protect our troops.

Thank you, America.

Donald Trump did not attend the inauguration . After assuming his new position, Biden plans to reverse several of Trump’s policies. COVID-19, immigration, and climate change are top priorities for his first day in office.

Photos: 2021 Biden inauguration day

Joe Biden became the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday, taking the helm of a deeply divided nation and inheriting a confluence of crises arguably greater than any faced by his predecessors.

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Biden's Inauguration Day speech, annotated

Biden mixed grandfatherly advice and a personal plea for unity with soaring quotations from President Abraham Lincoln as he sought to bring the country together, end what he called an “uncivil war,” and mobilize Americans against both the raging pandemic and the political divisions that have characterized the past few years. A relatively short speech with a theme of healing and new beginning, it brought to mind the greatest of all inaugural addresses, Lincoln’s second, as he tried to bring the US out of the Civil War.

Chief Justice Roberts, Vice President Harris, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Vice President Pence, my distinguished guests, and my fellow Americans.

Note that now-ex-President Donald Trump didn’t attend. He is the first American president since 1869 to skip his successor’s inauguration. Back then it was Andrew Johnson, the first president to be impeached by Congress. Today it’s Trump, the first President to be impeached twice . Biden did welcome Mike Pence, the outgoing vice president, who did attend.

Also note here that Biden mentioned “Leader” Schumer. Chuck Schumer wasn’t yet Senate Majority Leader at the time of the speech. He acquires that title with the swearing-in of Georgia’s two new Democratic senators, Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff , on Wednesday afternoon. Mitch McConnell was majority leader at noon but becomes minority leader later Wednesday.

This is America’s day . This is democracy’s day. A day of history and hope. Of renewal and resolve. Through a crucible for the ages, America has been tested anew and America has risen to the challenge. Today we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate but of a cause, the cause of democracy. The will of the people has been heard and the will of people has been heeded.

“America’s day” is the way Biden put it, but a large portion of the country is smarting at his victory.

We have learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. And at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.

So now on this hallowed ground where just a few days ago violence sought to shake the Capitol’s very foundation , we come together as one nation, under God, indivisible, to carry out the peaceful transfer of power as we have for more than two centuries. We look ahead in our uniquely American way — restless, bold, optimistic — and set our sights on the nation we know we can be and we must be.

Biden did not shy away from bringing up the threat posed by Trump’s effort to undermine the election and the effort by Trump’s followers to stop the counting of electoral votes at the Capitol just two weeks ago. Here, the new President declared victory for democracy — but he clearly wants to move on. Unity is going to be the main theme of this speech.

I thank my predecessors of both parties for their presence here. I thank them from the bottom my heart. You know the resilience of our Constitution and the strength of our nation — as does President Carter, who I spoke with last night, who cannot be with us today , but whom we salute for his lifetime in service.

Former President Jimmy Carter is in his 90s, so he skipped the event. Former Vice President Dick Cheney was also unable to attend.

I have just taken a sacred oath that each of those patriots took — an oath first sworn by George Washington. But the American story depends not on any one of us, not on some of us, but on all of us. On ‘we, the people,’ who seek a more perfect Union . This is a great nation and we are a good people. And over the centuries through storm and strife, in peace and in war, we have come so far. But we still have far to go.

The oath is written in the Article II of Constitution , the nation’s founding document. Every President has to take it.

Biden sprinkled many references to US history and great speeches throughout his remarks. Here’s “We the People” and “a more perfect Union,” which comes from the preamble of the Constitution.

We will press forward with speed and urgency, for we have much to do in this winter of peril and possibility. Much to repair. Much to restore. Much to heal. Much to build. And much to gain .

Listing the difficulties we face during this time of division and pandemic was expected. But Biden suggested this is a time possibility and there’s much to gain. That speaks to the message of optimism he’s laced throughout his career.

Few periods in our nation’s history have been more challenging or difficult than the time we’re in now. A once-in-a-century virus silently stalks the country. It has taken as many lives in one year as America lost in all of World War II .

The death toll is hard to comprehend. More than 400,000 Americans have died in less than a year, on Trump’s watch.

Millions of jobs have been lost . Hundreds of thousands of businesses closed . A cry for racial justice some 400 years in the making moves us. The dream of justice for all will be deferred no longer. A cry for survival comes from the planet itself , a cry that can’t be any more desperate or any more clear. And now, a rise in political extremism, white supremacy and domestic terrorism that we must confront and we will defeat.

This is an incredible time, as Biden suggested. All of these threats, it should be noted, were to some degree denied or rejected by now-former President Trump.

To overcome these challenges — to restore the soul and secure the future of America — requires so much more than words. It requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy: unity. Unity.

Unity is the most important thing in this speech and it may be just as hard to convince Democrats angry at what Trump was able to do in his four years to get on board with coming together as it will be to convince Republicans angry that Trump lost.

In another January in Washington, on New Year’s Day in 1863, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. When he put pen to paper, the president said — and I quote — “If my name ever goes down into history, it will be for this act, and my whole soul is in it.”

My whole soul is in it. Today, on this January day, my whole soul is in this: Bringing America together, uniting our people and uniting our nation .

I ask every American to join me in this cause, uniting to fight the foes we face: anger, resentment and hatred, extremism, lawlessness, violence, disease, joblessness and hopelessness. With unity, we can do great things, important things. We can right wrongs and we can put people to work in good jobs. We can teach our children in safe schools. We can overcome the deadly virus. We can reward work and rebuild the middle class and make health care secure for all. We can deliver racial justice. We can make America, once again, the leading force for good in the world.

This call to Americans is important. Biden effectively told Americans he can’t do it on his own. This was the “ask what you can do for your country” element of this speech.

I know speaking of unity can sound to some like a foolish fantasy. I know the forces that divide us are deep and they are real but I also know they are not new. Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal that we are all created equal, and the harsh, ugly reality that racism, nativism, fear, demonization have long torn us apart .

The battle is perennial and victory is never assured. Through the Civil War, the Great Depression, World War, 9/11, through struggle, sacrifice and setbacks, our “better angels” have always prevailed. In each of these moments, enough of us came together to carry all of us forward and we can do that now. History, faith and reason show the way — the way of unity. We can see each other not as adversaries but as neighbors. We can treat each other with dignity and respect. We can join forces, stop the shouting and lower the temperature. For without unity there is no peace, only bitterness and fury; no progress, only exhausting outrage; no nation, only a state of chaos.

Biden acknowledged the complicated reality of the American ideal here, but argued the country ultimately gets things right, when enough Americans join the effort to move toward the “more perfect union.”

This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge, and unity is the path forward. And we must meet this moment as the United States of America. If we do that, I guarantee you, we will not fail. We have never, ever, ever, ever failed in America when we’ve acted together.

And so today, at this time and in this place, let’s start afresh, all of us . Let’s begin to listen to one another again, hear one another, see one another, show respect to one another. Politics doesn’t have to be a raging fire, destroying everything in its path. Every disagreement doesn’t have to be a cause for total war, and we must reject the culture in which facts themselves are manipulated, and even manufactured .

Biden here confronted a core challenge to his call for unity: that so much of the country has been led — in large part by Trump himself — to believe in falsehoods.

My fellow Americans, we have to be different than this. America has to be better than this, and I believe America is so much better than this. Just look around. Here we stand, in the shadow of the Capitol dome, as was mentioned earlier, completed amid the Civil War when the union itself was literally hanging in the balance . Yet, we endured. We prevailed.

The dome was under construction during the entire Civil War , being built as the country was being torn apart, and completed in 1866.

Here we stand, looking out on the great Mall where Dr. King spoke of his dream . Here we stand, where 108 years ago at another inaugural, thousands of protesters tried to block brave women marching for the right to vote, and today we mark the swearing in of the first woman in American history elected to national office, Vice President Kamala Harris. Don’t tell me things can’t change.

King’s speech was during the March on Washington in 1963.

The Women’s Suffrage Parade was in 1913, ahead of Woodrow Wilson’s inauguration. Each of those were protest movements long in the making and they included large gatherings of people.

The Mall Wednesday was largely cleared of people due to security concerns as well as the pandemic.

Here we stand, across the Potomac from Arlington National Cemetery, where heroes who gave the last full measure of devotion rest in eternal peace.

This phrase comes from the Gettysburg Address . Arlington Cemetery is located at the former plantation home of Robert E. Lee and is where many Americans who have died in combat are interred. Instead of the normal post-inaugural lunch with lawmakers after this speech, Biden traveled to Arlington after his speech to pay his respects.

And here we stand, just days after a riotous mob thought they could use violence to silence the will of the people , to stop the work of our democracy, to drive us from this sacred ground. It did not happen. It will never happen, not today, not tomorrow, not ever. Not ever.

Biden rejected the riotous mob, but he also placed the January 6 storming of the Capitol alongside key moments in US history. Their defeat is the country’s victory.

To all those who supported our campaign, I am humbled by the faith you placed in us. To all those who did not support us, let me say this: Hear me out as we move forward. Take a measure of me and my heart, and if you still disagree, so be it. That’s democracy. That’s America . The right to dissent peaceably within the guardrails of our republic is perhaps this nation’s greatest strength.

Yet, hear me clearly: Disagreement must not lead to disunion, and I pledge this to you: I will be a President for all Americans. All Americans. And I promise you, I will fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did.

Returning to his theme of unity, Biden personally asked his political opponents to give him a chance. They got more attention in this speech than his supporters.

Many centuries ago, St. Augustine, a saint of my church, wrote that a people was a multitude defined by the common objects of their love, defined by the common objects of their love .

Biden is a deeply religious man and just the second Catholic US President. Read more here a bout Saint Augustine .

What are the common objects we as Americans love, that define us as Americans? I think I know. Opportunity, security, liberty, dignity, respect, honor, and — yes — the truth. Recent weeks and months have taught us a painful lesson. There is truth and there are lies, lies told for power and for profit. And each of us has a duty and a responsibility, as citizens, as Americans, and especially as leaders, leaders who have pledged to honor our Constitution and protect our nation, to defend the truth and defeat the lies.

Biden promised to help all Americans. But he reminded his listeners, several times in this speech, that keeping this democracy together will demand an adherence to facts. That could be the biggest break from the Trump era.

Look, I understand that many of my fellow Americans view the future with fear and trepidation. I understand they worry about their jobs. I understand, like my dad, they lay in bed, staring — at night, staring at the ceiling, wondering, “Can I keep my health care? Can I pay my mortgage?” Thinking about their families, about what comes next. I promise you, I get it.

This was interestingly informal language for an inaugural address. This part was the FDR-esque Fireside Chat.

But the answer is not to turn inward, to retreat into competing factions, distrusting those who don’t look like you or worship the way you do, or don’t get their news from the same sources you do. We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal. We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts. If we show a little tolerance and humility, and if we’re willing to stand in the other person’s shoes. As my mom would say, “Just for a moment, stand in their shoes.”

“End this uncivil war” should be the most-remembered line from this speech.

Because here’s the thing about life: There’s no accounting for what fate will deal you. Some days, you need a hand. There are other days when we’re called to lend a hand. That’s how it has to be. That’s what we do for one another. And if we are this way, our country will be stronger, more prosperous, more ready for the future. We can still disagree.

Biden’s belief in fate is an element of his faith. And his call to help others is rooted in that and will be evident in his efforts to expand health care coverage and help Americans hurt by the pandemic — including those who didn’t vote for him, another shift back to old norms and away from Trump’s habit of favoring states or voters who supported him.

My fellow Americans, in the work ahead of us, we’re going to need each other. We need all our strength to persevere through this dark winter. We’re entering what may be the toughest and deadliest period of the virus. We must set aside politics and finally face this pandemic as one nation. One nation. And I promise you this, as the Bible says, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” We will get through this together. Together.

This is Psalm 30:5 : “For His anger endureth but a moment, and in His favor is life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Biden added a collectivist tinge to this verse.

Look, folks, all my colleagues I served with in the House and the Senate up here, we all understand the world is watching, watching all of us today. So here’s my message to those beyond our borders. America has been tested and we’ve come out stronger for it. We will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again, not to meet yesterday’s challenges but today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. And we’ll lead not merely by the example of our power but by the power of our example .

Given the importance of foreign policy to Biden’s senate and vice presidential career, it got relatively short attention in this speech. By talking about “rebuilding alliances,” he made clear he aims to undo Trump’s “America First” approach of removing the US from treaties and alliances and his bullying of other countries with threats.

We’ll be a strong and trusted partner for peace, progress and security. Look, you all know we’ve been through — through so much in this nation. In my first act as President, I’d ask you to join me in a moment of silent prayer to remember all of those who we lost in this past year due to the pandemic , those 400,000 fellow Americans — moms, dads, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, friends, neighbors and co-workers. We will honor them by becoming the people and the nation we know we can and should be. So I ask you, let’s say a silent prayer for those who’ve lost their lives and those left behind and for our country.

The simple act of acknowledging the dead is new. Biden and Harris held a national memorial ceremony on Tuesday night , on the eve of inauguration.

Folks, this is a time of testing. We face an attack on our democracy and on truth, a raging virus, growing inequity, the sting of systemic racism, a climate in crisis, America’s role in the world. Any one of these would be enough to challenge us in profound ways but the fact is we face them all at once, presenting this nation with one of the gravest responsibilities we’ve had.

All Presidents like to talk about how difficult their challenges will be. But Biden has a point here.

Now we’re going to be tested. Are we going to step up, all of us? It’s time for boldness, for there’s so much to do, and this is certain — I promise you we will be judged, you and I, by how we resolve these cascading crises of our era.

We will rise to the occasion. The question is, will we master this rare and difficult hour? Will we meet our obligations and pass along a new and better world to our children? I believe we must. I’m sure you do, as well. I believe we will. And when we do, we’ll write the next great chapter in the history of the United States of America, the American story, a story that might sound something like a song that means a lot to me. It’s called American Anthem.

And there’s one verse that stands out, at least for me, and it goes like this. “The work and prayers of century have brought us to this day, what shall be our legacy. What will our children say? Let me know in my heart when my days are through. America, America, I gave my best to you.”

If Trump’s inaugural was known for his phrase “American carnage,” Biden’s could be called “American Anthem.”

Here’s a version of the song , written by Gene Scheer and sung by Norah Jones.

Let’s add — let’s us add our own work and prayers to the unfolding story of our great nation. If we do this, then when our days are through, our children and our children’s children will save us. They gave their best, they did their duty, they healed a broken land.

My fellow Americans, I close today where I began, with a sacred oath. Before God and all of you, I give you my word, I will always level with you . I will defend the Constitution. I will defend our democracy. I will defend America. And I will give all, all of you, keep everything I do in your service, thinking not of power but of possibilities, not of personal interest but the public good.

This is a very Biden way to end the speech. Honesty is important to him.

And together, we shall write an American story of hope, not fear; of unity, not division; of light, not darkness. A story of decency and dignity. Love and healing. Greatness and goodness.

May this be the story that guides us, the story that inspires us, and the story that tells ages yet to come that we answered the call of history. We met the moment. Democracy and hope, truth and justice did not die on our watch, but thrived. That America secured liberty at home and stood once again as a beacon to the world.

That is what we owe our forebears, one another, and generations to follow.

At the start of the ceremony, Minnesota Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar noted that there were “a whole bunch of Bidens” in attendance.

So, with purpose and resolve, we turn to those tasks of our time, sustained by faith, driven by conviction, and devoted to one another and the country we love with all our hearts.

May God bless America, and may God protect our troops. Thank you, America.

Relatively succinct and appropriately broad, this was a very good speech.

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• TImothy Scott , Mayor of Carlisle

Steven “Chris” Jones ’19

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Greetings from Community

Timothy Scott, Mayor of Carlisle

President Ensign, Dickinson College administration, faculty, students, alumni and staff, as Mayor of the Borough of Carlisle, I bring you warm greetings and welcome on behalf of the Greater Carlisle Community. Dickinson College is an integral part of our community and our relationship dates back to the Revolutionary War. We hope to continue that special relationship and strengthen it under your leadership. Congratulations on your inauguration, and we look forward to a flourishing year and all the years ahead.

Greetings from Students

President Ensign, I am honored to welcome you on behalf of the student body. I know my fellow students share in my excitement to have your leadership and vision guiding this college. In your short time on campus, we have already seen the energy you bring to Dickinson, from dancing with us during move-in to being eager to connect with any student you pass. We as a student body stand ready to work with you to continue to advance this college that we all call home.

Greetings from Alumni

David Carlson ’99

As president of the Alumni Council and on behalf of all alumni, I am honored to welcome your leadership to this institution that lives within all of us who were forever changed by our time here. I was a member of the first class to walk up these historic steps as a first year, and, like most alumni today, I walked down these steps many years ago marking my transition from Dickinson student to alumnus. These steps signify the point where we put this useful education into practice and reaffirmed our commitment to innovate, to lead and to improve the world around us. This could not be a more fitting place for you to do the same as 29th president of Dickinson College.

Greetings from Staff

It is my honor and my pleasure to be able to offer a greeting from the staff here at Dickinson College. So, on behalf of the crew who set up this stage and these chairs, the crew who is providing audio support for this event, the cooks and caterers who will be providing our lunch and picnic following this ceremony, the men and women on the grounds crew who keep our campus looking so beautiful, and all of my other colleagues from Advancement, Enrollment Management, Marketing & Communications, Finance & Administration, LIS and Student Life, I offer you our greeting, our best wishes and our promise to work with you to fulfill your vision for our college. Welcome!

Greetings from Faculty

Amy Farrell

On behalf of all the Dickinson faculty, from Denny Hall to Kaufman and everything in between, from the arts, the sciences, the humanities, the social sciences and the interdisciplinary fields, I stand here to offer you a very hearty welcome, Dr. Margee Ensign. As scholars, as teachers and as members of this fine college, we admire your encompassing spirit, your international perspective, your vitality and your vision for making this an even greater institution. We especially applaud your focus on the relevance and significance of the liberal arts for addressing our world’s challenges. We very much look forward to working with you. Once again, welcome, President Ensign.

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Welcome Address Speech - Warm Welcoming Wizard Whiz

A welcome address speech - discover the secret, learn the welcome-acronym and assume the role of a confident and poised speaker.

It's that easy! Follow the guidelines below; visualize them in our example of a welcome speech and then apply the guidelines to suit your personal welcome speech needs.

That's it - Welcoming Wizard Whiz 101 done - you graduated with flying colors !

WELCOME-ACRONYM IN ACTION

Good evening; Professor and Mrs. Smith, Chairman of the Board of Governors, Board Members, Honored Guest and Advocate Green from the Education Council.

May I take this opportunity to welcome you all, and to extend a further word of welcome to everyone here this evening.

The Opening Day of our new School is certainly a moment that we should all savor and enjoy. If you take a quick look around you, I'm sure you will all agree that our School has come a long way in the last few months.

It all started as a dream. [Insert name of company] envisioned the dream of establishing a world class educational institution; a School that would mold and guide future generations of enlightened minds.

We would like to extend our gratitude and thanks to all the role players that have made it possible for the dream to become a reality. Tonight marks this occasion - the Opening and Commencement Ceremony of our School.

In the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Butch says, "Sundance, when we're done, if he is dead, you're welcome to stay !" Well, rest assured, such extreme measured are not needed here tonight.

You are all most welcome to stay here this evening. I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening's program and thank you for sharing this special event with us.

Your welcome address speech should be brief and concise as you aim to welcome the members of the audience and special guests.

If you are the only keynote speaker of the evening, then the welcome speech could preface your actual formal presentation.

You are welcome to use the welcome-acronym...hope it sparks your creative ideas!

70 Short Welcome Speech Samples To Address any Event

May 1, 2024

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A big hello to my chivalrous crowd. How about that for a mind-altering beginning to Short Welcome Speech Samples ? Welcome – the most paramount gesture to make your guest feel attended and addressed and respected! Yes, the host is loaded with uncountable responsibilities to make their guests feel special and counted on. And all of it starts with a nice, heart-warming “#Velkommen” that you mark the event and tell what that day is all about. If you are preparing for an event and need someone to tell you that you are doing great, let it be you. Check on this list of Powerful Quotes to Boost Your Self Confidence , It helped me a lot, see if it could do a little magic for you as well.

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Feeling stuck and not being able to find just the right words to introduce events is so irritating that it could make you smash your own head (by personal experiences; wink). A welcome could either cheer them up or make them leave the event and rather have cozy sleep at home . Martin Luther King, in 1943, delivered a speech “I have a dream” and that still doesn’t fail to inspire people.

Short Welcome Speech Samples To Address any Event

Welcome speech for annual day.

I am extremely overwhelmed to get this opportunity to address you all on this auspicious occasion of 50th Annual day of our elite institution. Children are the future of tomorrow. All these students we witness today, receiving honours for their talents will grow up to be the responsible citizens of tomorrow. May they grow up to make us proud and achieve the highest human values.

I feel proud to be a part of such an elite institution where we are taught by such great teachers, whose teaching goes beyond the classroom. Also, they are the ones to be thanked for organizing such a huge function. We all have assembled here today, today to motivate and cherish the young minds present among us. Apart from it, this is a great occasion to welcome our Chief Guest of today.

Welcome of the Chief Guest

On behalf of the school, I welcome our chief guest Mr. James, who is a dean of the most renowned institution functioning under the government of India. She is working towards connecting young minds to strive toward success and achievement. We are grateful to him for accepting our invitation and becoming a chief guest of today’s event.

Our chief guest doesn’t require an introduction as he is a well-recognised figure in our city. She is known for his wonderful administration and high achievements of the Institution she is in charge of. Apart from this, she is a Philanthropist and renders selfless services to society. She has moulded the life of students and served people with her kindness.

We are so honoured to have her as the Chief guest for the evening. I am certain that all the parents present here are also moved and assuredly want their children to be like him.

Welcoming Parents

Parents are the world for children. Not to overlook that we are here, joined by the wonderful parents who have raised the best students this school possesses. With immense admiration and affection, we welcome all the parents who made the efforts to join this ceremony.

At last, I would like to thank all the teachers, other staff members and all the students present here to make this ceremony worthwhile.

Welcome Speech for Freshers Party

Good Morning to everyone present here!

We all have gathered here today on the occasion of a Fresher’s party. Welcoming people is part of Indian culture, followed for centuries. We maintain this custom and welcome today the fresh faces in the college with a fresher’s party.

I thank all my teachers and everyone who gave me this opportunity to welcome all my fresher’s today. It’s a moment of great pleasure for me to welcome you all.

My dear friends, studying in our institution is pure joy, the professors, students, and other staff members are an epitome of compassion and we are quite sure you will be perplexed by their sagacity.

All in all, I would like to say that you have made an absolutely secure decision to be a part of this institution. Our college welcomes all the students joining us today. I hope all of you will operate along with the values of the college and magnify its reputation at every go of life.

Now, I will halt my words and start with the programmes for the day which includes some astounding performances by the students of our college.

I guarantee, your next few hours will be delightful and memorable. Thank you for being a patient audience and hearing my thoughts.

Welcome Speech for a Farewell Party

I welcome you all on this occasion of the farewell party, for which we have assembled here today.

First of all, I would like to thank everyone who gave me this opportunity to welcome all my seniors and teachers on this memorable occasion.

School life is undoubtedly the best phase of life for everyone. Our parents, teachers and friends all have made this phase of life so memorable for us. We learned so many things, from our inspiring teachers. Made mistakes, made memories with friends, and whatnot. It was a long journey in itself.

Today marks the end of this school life of sweet and bitter moments to cherish all our lives. We do feel a touch of sadness but it is the nature of life, to move forward. So, today we will celebrate this moment with our beloved teachers and friends to bid a good farewell to all who have to leave now, with a smiling face.

Welcome Speech for College Function

Good Morning to all!

Honourable Chief Guest Mr. Swamy, Principal Sir Dr. Reddy, Staff Members, and all the students present here. I welcome you all to the annual function of our esteemed college.

My name is Lakshita Kumar, a student of B.Sc. and also a secretary of cultural programs organized under our college authority.

I feel extremely proud to announce that our elite college has completed 25 years and we all have gathered today to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the same. Behind huge success over the years are the dedicated teachers, motivated students, and helpful staff who give their best to make the college achieve great heights of success.

Also, It is a great honour for me to pronounce that today we are joined by a lady who hardly needs an introduction. She is well known for her work in educating poor children. Besides, he is a published and extensively read author of the contemporary world. (the title of his book) is one of her treasures that have gained a huge international acknowledgment.

Moreover, she is extremely loved and respected by her readers which include the youth population of the country, whom she has influenced the most with her writing. With that being said, let us call upon none other than Miss/ Mrs. (name of the chief guest).”

Welcome Speech for Teachers Day

Respected Principal Sir, Teachers and dear students!

We welcome you all today, to celebrate this auspicious occasion of teacher’s day. We celebrate teacher’s day every year on 5th September, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

Teachers are our ideals. They inspire us each day and make us strive towards the route of success. They equip us with the power of knowledge and propel us with endless wisdom to become better citizens of the future.

On that note, I would now like to invite our Principal mam on the stage and to deliver her thoughts on the day.

Welcome Speech for Children’s Day

Good Morning Everyone!

We welcome all the students as we celebrate Children’s day today.

It is true, the imagination of a child is incomparable. Children are a creation of God and their smile is irresistible to not make us smile alone. Their innocence is overwhelming.

For children, school is a second home and teachers are equivalent to the parents in times when students need them the most. This day is celebrated with many events which cannot be possible without the contribution of our lovely teachers.

Thanking you all, I would like to start the events for the day without any further delay. 

It is simply not possible for everyone to come up with the right kind of words to use in a welcome speech. It is something that one has to plan and think about so that the right tone is set for the person you are welcoming to make his or her speech. Plus care has to be taken to ensure that none of the vital details are missed but at the same time, the speech cannot be too long. It is not as simple as writing a heart melting long distance relationship quote and requires a lot more consideration.

Focus on the TONE While Delivering the Introductory Speech For an Event

Understanding the basic idea and being able to think about the feel is really important in order to make the listener feel connected. Make sure they don’t yawn or even doesn’t end up rolling on the floor laughing too! Your speech should be making them feel eager to know what going to come up next. If at all it is the professional conference that you are conducting, you can’t pour in too much fun in your speech but a family function demands the same. Choosing tone and focus on how you talk to the audience will vary with the different types of event. Decide if its “Howz it going peepz?” event or “Blesses morning, ladies and gentlemen.” event. A few Maid of Honor Speeches if at all you are thinking to make the #Bigday special for your BFF.

Important Points to Consider while Giving Welcome Speech For an Event

• What is the purpose of the event and what it aims to achieve out of it? The objective, unless made clear to the audience, leaves the speech incomplete. Be specific as you introduce the event and its significance ’cause being brief helps people register it seriously. Tempting them is all you have to do and then stop – make them feel excited about the event.
• Welcome speech must address all the guests and the chief guests of the event (if any) thanking them for being present and giving the auspicious event their valuable attention.
• Make proper introductions of the Chief guests and hosts along with the motive of the function to achieve more attention and appreciation. Make sure you have all the names beforehand and you know how to pronounce them correctly.

SSS Mantra for Appreciable Hosting

Short-Simple-Sincere, it should be! The speech better not exceed a minute or two. Use simple and understandable language along with a sincere tone and vocab as to make sure your audience gets impressed by your way of expression.

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awesome content. really worth!

It’s really wonderful and meaningful it will help for others who is really In need……

dear sir/madam greetings.very useful tips.thank u… regs veerabadran guna

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How to Write a Welcome Speech

Last Updated: July 29, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz . Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,708,496 times.

Are you on welcome speech duty for an upcoming program or event? You’ve got nothing to worry about—with the right format and tone, it’s super easy to write and present a welcome speech for just about any occasion. We’ve outlined everything you need to know, from your opening greetings and acknowledgments, to establishing the right tone and nailing your closing remarks. You’ve got this in the bag!

Greeting the Audience

• Keep the tone more serious if it's an important occasion. Use more formal language and don't crack any inappropriate jokes. For example, at a wake, you might say, "We're so glad to have you all here tonight. We appreciate your presence at this difficult time."

• For an event with close friends and family, more informal language might be appropriate. Include a few jokes and keep your speech more lighthearted.

Patrick Muñoz

Grab your audience's attention with a strong opening. Start with a loud voice and a strong presence that welcomes everyone and gets them involved. Ask a question they can respond to or tell a joke — anything to connect with the audience. Do something that grabs their attention and excites them and makes them thrilled about the event.

• Special guests include any people of honor, those that may play a particularly important part in the event, or those who have traveled a long way to be there.
• Make sure that you practice all of names, titles, and pronunciations of the special guests before your speech.
• For example you could say, "We'd like to extend a special welcome to our guest of honor, Judge McHenry, who will be speaking later tonight."
• Alternatively to welcome a group of people you might say, "While we're excited to have you all here tonight, we'd especially like to say welcome to the students from Johnson Middle School."

• For an informal event such as a birthday party, you could say, "We're so happy to have you here tonight to eat, drink, and celebrate another year of Jessica's life. Now, let's get to it."
• For a more formal event such as one run by an organisation, you could say, “We are so excited to have you all here to participate in our 10th annual pet’s day, organised by the Animal Rescue Group.”

Forming the Body of the Speech

• An example of acknowledging individual people is saying, “We couldn’t have pulled off this fundraiser without the hard work and dedication of Grace and Sally, who worked tirelessly from day 1 to make today a reality.”
• Avoid reading off a long list of people or sponsors, as your audience will begin to get bored. Stick to just a handful of highlights.

• For instance, at a conference, you might point out when the dinner will be held, or where particular sessions will take place.
• At a wedding reception, you might note when dancing will start or when the cake will be served.

• Alternatively, you could end the body of your speech during an informal gathering by saying, “I can't wait to see you all out on the dancefloor!”

Ending the Speech

• You could also say that you hope that the audience takes something away from the event. For example, “I hope that today inspires ideas and discussions around the ways that we can make our city a better place!”

• At a formal event, you might say, "Now, for our speaker. Rebecca Roberts comes here from Montreal, Canada, and she is a leading expert in the study of the human brain. She'll be speaking tonight on what drives humans to make decisions. Let's welcome her."
• For a more informal event such as a party, you could say, “Next up is Sam, who has been Kyle’s best friend for 10 years strong. He has a decade of embarrassing stories about Kyle to share with us tonight!"

• Alternatively you might say, “Thank you again to everyone for being here tonight to celebrate Joe and Kathleen’s 50th wedding anniversary! Let the celebrations begin!”

• If you are unsure, ask the organiser or host what an appropriate length of time for your speech will be.

Writing Help

Community Q&A

• Practice your speech in front of trusted friends and family in the days leading up to the event. [12] X Research source Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.yourdictionary.com/articles/effective-welcome-speech
• ↑ https://www.examples.com/education/speech/welcome-speech-for-conference.html
• ↑ https://penandthepad.com/how-5574707-write-welcome-speech.html
• ↑ https://penandthepad.com/write-after-dinner-speech-8035341.html
• ↑ https://uark.pressbooks.pub/speaking/chapter/closing-a-speech/
• ↑ https://www.unr.edu/writing-speaking-center/student-resources/writing-speaking-resources/speech-delivery

About This Article

To write a welcome speech, start with a greeting to your audience that’s appropriate to the situation. For example, you could try “Good evening ladies and gentlemen” if you’re introducing a formal event, or “Thank you everyone for coming on this sunny day” for a more relaxed occasion. After you’ve finished the greeting, introduce the event by talking about who organized it and what its purpose is. In the main body of your speech, acknowledge 2 or 3 people who played important parts in organizing the event. You should also emphasize special parts of the event that people should pay attention to, such as where dinner will be or where a conference session will take place. When you’re ready to conclude your speech, tell the audience to enjoy the event by saying something like “I hope you all enjoy the exciting speakers to come.” Finish your speech by thanking the audience for attending. For tips on how to introduce people at a special occasion, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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• Welcome Speech For College Function

Welcome Speech For College Function In English For Students

Speeches are an essential component of every professional or formal event. A welcome speech is a type of speech given by a speaker or the function's host to greet the distinguished Chief Guest and the other guests and express gratitude for their presence. It helps to glorify the occasion.  

Everybody expects an introductory speech for an event. And that is because the opening speech sets the tone for the entire event. One can easily attract the attention of the audience with a catchy first line and introduction. So it is very important to make a good first impression.

To make guests feel welcomed, you'll need a powerful speech. Here are some examples of speeches that you might use to impress your guests. These speeches are categorised under several headings. Any of these can be used for your forthcoming events.

Let’s go Through Some Long and Short Speeches

Long speech  .

This form of opening speech for an event is extremely important if one intends to take time and welcome and extend gratitude to everyone involved in making the event successful. 

Good Morning everyone! A very warm welcome to the respected teachers and the incredible parents. I am so grateful to welcome our students to the commencement ceremony (mention the name of the event). I feel privileged to open this event and stand here, where many accomplished people who I admired and looked up to once stood. 

A very special welcome to our Chief guest (mention their name). They truly set a benchmark for multi-hyphenated achievements. They are an entrepreneur, coach and author of the best selling books in our country and even abroad. Their quiet charitable endeavours at such a young age speak volumes of the person they are and the upbringing they had. Thank you for accepting our invitation to address our students who are about to start another new chapter in their lives. 

I express my gratitude to our esteemed Principal (mention name) for their approval. They have assisted us in not just our development but also in enhancing our creativity and knowledge. And last but not the least, a heartfelt thanks to our esteemed lecturers, without whom we would be incomplete as students. They were always here to assist and advise us in unimaginable ways. They helped us with the development of ideas and the execution of those ideas.

Our Principal, professors, other associates, and the administration department have all supported us. I also can't help but admire my team's tenacious attitude, which went above and beyond to guarantee in successfully organising and completing the event. We all also owe a special appreciation to our sponsors without whom the yearly celebration would be incomplete.

We are all gathered here to mark the end of a year and receive our much-deserved appreciation and certificates. A semester has passed, and another year has come to an end. I am certain that you are all feeling anxious and giddy with excitement at the same time. This is the final official ceremony that we will ever attend in our prestigious school/college (mention the name). The ceremony will last until (mention time), after which our guests will give a message to the students. Our students will also have the opportunity to ask questions and converse with our speaker during a question-and-answer session. Tea and snacks will be offered at the end. Please stay until the end of the session to show your support for our participants.

Our Honourable Principal will address the gathering tonight. I'm confident that their speech will not just be a collection of words but a strong motivational speech. 

For all of the freshmen attending the college this year, I would like to inform you that our college toasts its annual celebration with great excitement and festivities every year, creating amazing memories. Of course, preparing for this big day takes a lot of time and effort because it cannot be achieved overnight. It requires meticulous scrutiny of every element, as even the tiniest oversight might derail the entire endeavour. So please give a huge round of applause to all the organisers!

Let us applaud the efforts of all the contestants who have worked hard in order to shine in their performance. We were quite lucky in having the support of all parties, not just for the participants, but also for the backstage crew.

For today's celebration, a variety of performances have been scheduled. We have Dance performances, singing, and playing instruments, and a variety of other activities like quizzes and other competitions. So everyone! Get ready for some incredible performances from our students, and trust me when I say that you will not be able to take your gaze away from them.

After completing the first round of performances, there will be an awards event recognising the talents and efforts of our college students who competed at various zonal, state, and national level events. 

There are no free lunches in the world. Just because you studied here doesn’t mean you are entitled to all the opportunities. You must remember to work hard and earn every opportunity you want. Take every challenge you face as an opportunity for another chance to prove your worth. Also, know the difference between people to whom you have to prove yourself and those you don’t have to. Always remember to have a sense of humour in life. Only that will get you through the tough times. Life is truly special and with patience and hard work, you will certainly make responsible decisions for yourself, your family and for your country as well.  Take accountability for your failures and learn from them. Don’t let anything bring you down. Stay as passionate and driven as you are today. Keep achieving and reach great heights with flying colours.

That is all from me, friends! I thank you all for your patience. I'll meet you after the event. I hope you relax and enjoy the evening.

Short Speech

This form of welcome speech for an event is helpful when the presenter wishes to keep it simple, short and effective without diverting focus from the main event. 

Good Morning everyone! A warm welcome to respected teachers, parents and students. A special thanks to the Chief Guest of the day (mention his/her name). It's an honour to have such an accomplished author and entrepreneur among us. Thank you (sir/ ma’am/ mx) for accepting the invitation to deliver the keynote speech today and for guiding our students for new beginnings. 

Your teachers have guided you in all your endeavours and your parents have constantly supported you through it. This would not be the same without them. I extend my sincere thanks to all the teachers and parents for their understanding and support.

This is a highly multi-talented batch of students in our school. Aside from academics, we value advancement in the arts, cultural activities, and sports. One of the best aspects of our college is that it places equal emphasis on all areas to develop the overall talents and personalities of the students. I stand here, feeling lucky to be a part of your life, even if it is only in a small way. This school is so proud of all you have accomplished and every achievement you have garnered for yourself.   You all have been excellent performers in academics and won so many olympiads and awards. And you didn’t hold back even in extracurricular activities like sports tournaments like martial arts, football, basketball and badminton. Our school has also been a top performer in inter-school events like dancing, singing, speech, elocution and debate. The book club that you have started which is now thriving also shows your innovative side. 

Our students have put their best foot forward to make this college function a success. Preparations have been underway since last month. Let us all take a moment to appreciate them.

Let me provide the schedule for today's function before we get started. To begin with, we have our principal inviting our honoured guests. We then have a speech, followed by the pupils' performances. At last, our honoured visitors take the stage and relate their experiences. Our distinguished keynote guest will then present medals to the students.

Finally, I'd like to wish everyone a good time at the celebration and I wish you all to take some lovely and happy memories with you. I now invite our Principal Shri (Name of your Principal) to speak a few words.

These are samples for a college event. To extend an understanding, let us go through a general guide for writing a speech.

Address the audience - "Good evening to everyone present here!" is an appropriate greeting. Then, using a sentence like "It is my pleasure to invite everyone to our magnificent venue tonight," welcomes the audience to the event. Keep the tone in check. If it's a special occasion, use a more solemn tone.

Welcome the guests - "A warm welcome to all the esteemed guests present here today!" is a simple and clear greeting to use. Use a sentence like "It's so nice to see you all here on this beautiful day" to make them feel welcome. More informal language may be suitable for an occasion with close friends and relatives. Include a few jokes in your speech to lighten it up.

Information about the event - Give a brief description of the event's name and purpose. If it's important, provide the event's name and age, and a little about the organisation that put it on.

Thank the helpers/aiders - Mention at least two people who assisted in making the event a reality. Mention their names as well as the roles they played. 

Engage the audience - Mention any particularly noteworthy aspects of the incident. If applicable, introduce what's coming up later in the event or the future days. Pick the most significant elements and encourage people to stick around for or pay special attention to them.

Ending the speech - If appropriate, express your hope that the audience appreciates the event. Send your warmest greetings to them for the remainder of the event.

Duration   - Keep your discourse to a reasonable length. The event will determine the duration. A shorter speech is usually better because most people just want to get on with the event. Smaller events should last no more than 1-2 minutes, whereas larger and more formal events, such as conferences, should last no more than 5 minutes.

FAQs on Welcome Speech For College Function

1. How to begin a welcome speech?

Introduce the honored visitor, their work, achievements, contributions, and honors. Express gratitude towards them for taking time out of their schedule and attending the college occasion. For more tips and advice, you can browse through the free resources available on Vedantu for reference.

2. How to end a speech?

If appropriate, express your desire that the audience enjoys the event. Send your warmest greetings to the audience for the remainder of the event. For example, you could say, "I hope you all enjoy the exciting speakers to come!" 

3. What is the ideal duration of a welcome speech?

The event will determine the duration of the speech. For smaller events, the speech should last no more than 1-2 minutes, whereas, for larger and more formal events, it should not exceed 5 minutes.

Milestone Documents

President George Washington's First Inaugural Speech (1789)

Citation: George Washington's First Inaugural Address; 4/30/1789; (SEN 1A-E1); Presidential Messages, 1789 - 1875; Records of the U.S. Senate, Record Group 46; National Archives Building, Washington, DC.

View All Pages in National Archives Catalog

View Document Transcript

Although not required by the Constitution, George Washington presented the first Presidential inaugural address on April 30, 1789.

On April 16, 1789, two days after receiving official notification of his election, George Washington left his home on the Potomac for New York. Accompanied by Charles Thompson, his official escort, and Col. David Humphreys, his aide, he traveled through Alexandria, Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Trenton, Princeton, New Brunswick, and Bridgetown (now Rahway, NJ).

At these and other places along his route, the artillery roared a salute of honor and the citizens and officials presented him with marks of affection and honor, so that his trip became a triumphal procession. On April 23, he crossed the bay from Bridgetown to New York City in a magnificent barge built especially for the occasion.

Lacking precedents to guide them in their preparations for the first Presidential inaugural, Congress appointed a joint committee to consider the time, place, and manner in which to administer to the President the oath of office required by the Constitution. Certain difficulties in planning and arrangements arose from the fact that Congress was meeting in New York’s former City Hall, rechristened Federal Hall, which was in process of renovation under the direction of Pierre L’Enfant.

On April 25, Congress adopted the joint committee’s recommendation that the inaugural ceremonies be held the following Thursday, April 30, and that the oath of office be administered to the President in the Representatives’ Chamber. The final report of the committee slightly revised this plan with its recommendation that the oath be administered in the outer gallery adjoining the Senate Chamber, “to the end that the Oath of Office may be administered to the President in the most public manner, and that the greatest number of people of the United States, and without distinction, may witness the solemnity.”

On inauguration day, the city was crowded with townspeople and visitors. At half past noon, Washington rode alone in the state coach from his quarters in Franklin Square to Federal Hall on the corner of Wall and Nassau Streets. Troops of the city, members of Congress appointed to escort the President, and heads of executive departments of the government under the Confederation preceded the President’s coach, while to the rear followed ministers of foreign countries and local citizenry.

At Federal Hall, Vice President John Adams, the Senate, and the House of Representatives awaited the President’s arrival in the Senate Chamber. After being received by Congress, Washington stepped from the chamber onto the balcony, where he was followed by the Senators and Representatives.

Before the assembled crowd of spectators, Robert Livingston, Chancellor of the State of New York, administered the oath of office prescribed by the Constitution: “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.” After repeating this oath, Washington kissed the Bible held for him by the Chancellor, who called out, “Long live George Washington, President of the United States,” and a salvo of 13 cannons was discharged.

Except for taking the oath, the law required no further inaugural ceremonies. But, upon reentering the Senate Chamber, the President read the address that is featured here. After this address, he and the members of Congress proceeded to St. Paul’s Church for divine service. A brilliant fireworks display in the evening ended the official program for this historic day.

Teach with this document.

Previous Document Next Document

Fellow-Citizens of the Senate and of the House of Representatives:

Among the vicissitudes incident to life no event could have filled me with greater anxieties than that of which the notification was transmitted by your order, and received on the 14th day of the present month. On the one hand, I was summoned by my Country, whose voice I can never hear but with veneration and love, from a retreat which I had chosen with the fondest predilection, and, in my flattering hopes, with an immutable decision, as the asylum of my declining years--a retreat which was rendered every day more necessary as well as more dear to me by the addition of habit to inclination, and of frequent interruptions in my health to the gradual waste committed on it by time. On the other hand, the magnitude and difficulty of the trust to which the voice of my country called me, being sufficient to awaken in the wisest and most experienced of her citizens a distrustful scrutiny into his qualifications, could not but overwhelm with despondence one who (inheriting inferior endowments from nature and unpracticed in the duties of civil administration) ought to be peculiarly conscious of his own deficiencies. In this conflict of emotions all I dare aver is that it has been my faithful study to collect my duty from a just appreciation of every circumstance by which it might be affected. All I dare hope is that if, in executing this task, I have been too much swayed by a grateful remembrance of former instances, or by an affectionate sensibility to this transcendent proof of the confidence of my fellow-citizens, and have thence too little consulted my incapacity as well as disinclination for the weighty and untried cares before me, my error will be palliated by the motives which mislead me, and its consequences be judged by my country with some share of the partiality in which they originated.

Such being the impressions under which I have, in obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station, it would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes, and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success the functions allotted to his charge. In tendering this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own, nor those of my fellow- citizens at large less than either. No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency; and in the important revolution just accomplished in the system of their united government the tranquil deliberations and voluntary consent of so many distinct communities from which the event has resulted can not be compared with the means by which most governments have been established without some return of pious gratitude, along with an humble anticipation of the future blessings which the past seem to presage. These reflections, arising out of the present crisis, have forced themselves too strongly on my mind to be suppressed. You will join with me, I trust, in thinking that there are none under the influence of which the proceedings of a new and free government can more auspiciously commence.

By the article establishing the executive department it is made the duty of the President "to recommend to your consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient." The circumstances under which I now meet you will acquit me from entering into that subject further than to refer to the great constitutional charter under which you are assembled, and which, in defining your powers, designates the objects to which your attention is to be given. It will be more consistent with those circumstances, and far more congenial with the feelings which actuate me, to substitute, in place of a recommendation of particular measures, the tribute that is due to the talents, the rectitude, and the patriotism which adorn the characters selected to devise and adopt them. In these honorable qualifications I behold the surest pledges that as on one side no local prejudices or attachments, no separate views nor party animosities, will misdirect the comprehensive and equal eye which ought to watch over this great assemblage of communities and interests, so, on another, that the foundation of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality, and the preeminence of free government be exemplified by all the attributes which can win the affections of its citizens and command the respect of the world. I dwell on this prospect with every satisfaction which an ardent love for my country can inspire, since there is no truth more thoroughly established than that there exists in the economy and course of nature an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness; between duty and advantage; between the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous policy and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity; since we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained; and since the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered, perhaps, as deeply, as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.

Besides the ordinary objects submitted to your care, it will remain with your judgment to decide how far an exercise of the occasional power delegated by the fifth article of the Constitution is rendered expedient at the present juncture by the nature of objections which have been urged against the system, or by the degree of inquietude which has given birth to them. Instead of undertaking particular recommendations on this subject, in which I could be guided by no lights derived from official opportunities, I shall again give way to my entire confidence in your discernment and pursuit of the public good; for I assure myself that whilst you carefully avoid every alteration which might endanger the benefits of an united and effective government, or which ought to await the future lessons of experience, a reverence for the characteristic rights of freemen and a regard for the public harmony will sufficiently influence your deliberations on the question how far the former can be impregnably fortified or the latter be safely and advantageously promoted.

To the preceding observations I have one to add, which will be most properly addressed to the House of Representatives. It concerns myself, and will therefore be as brief as possible. When I was first honored with a call into the service of my country, then on the eve of an arduous struggle for its liberties, the light in which I contemplated my duty required that I should renounce every pecuniary compensation. From this resolution I have in no instance departed; and being still under the impressions which produced it, I must decline as inapplicable to myself any share in the personal emoluments which may be indispensably included in a permanent provision for the executive department, and must accordingly pray that the pecuniary estimates for the station in which I am placed may during my continuance in it be limited to such actual expenditures as the public good may be thought to require.

Having thus imparted to you my sentiments as they have been awakened by the occasion which brings us together, I shall take my present leave; but not without resorting once more to the benign Parent of the Human Race in humble supplication that, since He has been pleased to favor the American people with opportunities for deliberating in perfect tranquility, and dispositions for deciding with unparalleled unanimity on a form of government for the security of their union and the advancement of their happiness, so His divine blessing may be equally conspicuous in the enlarged views, the temperate consultations, and the wise measures on which the success of this Government must depend.

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President Biden’s Full Inauguration Speech, Annotated

President Biden used his Inaugural Address to urge Americans to come together to take on the challenges ahead.

‘Democracy Has Prevailed’: Biden Calls for National Unity

President joseph. r biden jr. emphasized the importance of unity in his first speech as president of the united states..

Today, we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate, but of a cause — the cause of democracy. The people, the will of the people has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded. We’ve learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. And at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed. [applause] So now on this hallowed ground, where just a few days ago, violence sought to shake the Capitol’s very foundation, we come together as one nation, under God, indivisible, to carry out the peaceful transfer of power as we have for more than two centuries. As we look ahead in our uniquely American way — restless, bold, optimistic — and set our sights on a nation we know we can be, and we must be. To restore the soul and secure the future of America requires so much more than words. It requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy: unity. With unity, we can do great things, important things. We can right wrongs. We can put people to work in good jobs. We can teach our children in safe schools. We can overcome the deadly virus. We can reward work and rebuild the middle class, and make health care secure for all. We can deliver racial justice, and we can make America, once again, the leading force for good in the world.

By Glenn Thrush

President Biden delivered this address on Wednesday after taking the oath of office. These are his remarks as prepared for delivery.

Chief Justice Roberts, Vice President Harris, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Vice President Pence, distinguished guests, and my fellow Americans. This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day.

Glenn Thrush, WASHINGTON Correspondent:

From his opening words, President Biden made clear this would be a sober summons to service largely stripped of the rhetorical filigree often associated with inaugural addresses. He recognized the profound damage inflicted by the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol and defined his assumption of power as “democracy’s day” — to contrast his approach with President Donald J. Trump’s view of the office as an extension of his personal power.

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