Spotlight on History
Louisiana Inaugurations
In honor of Inauguration Day 2024 on January 8th, the LDMA is looking back at past Louisiana inaugurations dating back to 1956. Highlights of the two earliest inaugurations from 1956 and 1964 are available from the Brooks Read Collection at the Louisiana State Archives. Since 1980, LPB has provided live coverage of every inauguration, including the swearing-in of the statewide elected officials, the Governor’s inaugural address, and the celebrations surrounding each ceremony.
Earl K. Long (1956)
Watch a short black and white clip of the beginning of Governor Earl K. Long’s inaugural address at the State Capitol.
John McKeithen (1964)
View Brooks Read’s coverage of the events surrounding Governor John McKeithen’s first inauguration at the State Capitol in The Day of the New Louisiana.
Dave Treen (1980)
See LPB’s first live broadcast of a gubernatorial inauguration, the inauguration of Governor Dave Treen at the State Capitol. View part 2 here.
Edwin Edwards (1984)
Watch LPB’s live coverage of Governor Edwin Edwards’ third inauguration at the State Capitol, which was moved into the House chambers due to rain. See part 2 here.
Buddy Roemer (1988)
View LPB’s live coverage of the inauguration of Governor Buddy Roemer at the State Capitol, including his swearing-in by former Senator Russell Long.
Edwin Edwards (1992)
See LPB’s live coverage of the historic fourth inauguration of Governor Edwin Edwards at the Centroplex in Baton Rouge.
Mike Foster (1996)
Watch LPB’s live coverage of the first inauguration of Governor Mike Foster at the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge.
Mike Foster (2000)
View LPB’s live coverage of the second inauguration of Governor Mike Foster at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge.
Kathleen Blanco (2004)
See LPB’s live coverage of the historic inauguration of Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco at the State Capitol, Louisiana’s first female leader.
Bobby Jindal (2008)
Watch LPB’s live coverage of the historic inauguration of Governor Bobby Jindal at the State Capitol, the first Indian American governor in the United States.
Bobby Jindal (2012)
View LPB’s live coverage of the second inauguration of Governor Bobby Jindal at the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge, including his introduction by former Governor Mike Foster.
John Bel Edwards (2016)
See LPB’s live coverage of the first inauguration of Governor John Bel Edwards at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge.
John Bel Edwards (2020)
See LPB’s live coverage of the second inauguration of Governor John Bel Edwards at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge.