One of my favorite podcasts is Mike Rowe’s, The Way I Heard It, described by the host as, “the only podcast for a curious mind with a short attention span.”

As a history fan, I enjoy listening to these mysteries, and I try to identify the subject early in the episode. In the most recent episode, “At the Crossroads” I was able to discern the subject fairly early and was originally pleased with myself (until I re-listened to it and noticed the early hints I had missed and realized I could have figured it out sooner if I had picked up on them). [SPOILER ALERT – I am about to disclose the subject, I suggest listening to the episode before continuing]

The historical person is George Washington. The subject of the mystery is Washington’s inauguration, and more specifically, the origin of the tradition to end the inaugural oath with the phrase, “So help me God”.

Those familiar with the Presidential Oath of Office will recall Article II Section 1:

8: Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:—“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) 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.”

“So help me God” is noticeably absent. But there is a tradition that presidents conclude in that way. So where did it begin? According to the story Rowe tells, Washington was inspired by a conversation he had with an innkeeper while en route to New York for his inauguration.

Some quick online research suggests that it is unlikely Washington did this and that the first documented case of a president ending his oath in that way was in 1881 by President Chester A. Arthur. As Arthur is not usually among the presidents who readily come to mind when we think of the forty four men who have held the office of President of the United States, we should give him his due here.

This is not to disparage Mike Rowe, whom I admire. To be sure, the podcast website includes a disclaimer reminding listeners that these stories may contain inaccuracies:

DISCLAIMER: Each episode of The Way I Heard It is a true story about a real person, place, or thing. With respect to the facts, I try to be as accurate as possible. However, the Internet is full of conflicting accounts, and it’s entirely possible you might hear me say something about a person or an event that contradicts something you heard or read elsewhere. If so, feel free to bring any discrepancy to my attention. Just remember – I’m not wrong. It’s just the way I heard it…

The important thing is I enjoyed listening to the story the way Mike heard it, and it resulted in me learning a little something. And besides, it is entirely possible that George Washington was the first president to end his oath in this way. It’s just not a certainty.

Bonus: In pulling links for this post, I came across an NPR article by Nina Totenberg which included a fun trivia question:

The trivia question for the day is: How many presidents were sworn in four times?

The answer: Two.

It is easy to guess the first President, Franklin Roosevelt, on account of his four terms in office. But I was surprised to learn who the second President was, and even that there was a second. Read her article for the rest of the answer!