An inauguration is a ceremony of formal investiture whereby an individual assumes an office or position of authority. The term is usually used in reference to a politician's assumption of the duties of head of state or head of government (e.g. "the President's inauguration").

Political inaugurations often have lavish ceremonies, in which the politician publicly takes his or her oath of office in front of a large crowd of spectators.

State & religious leaders who are inaugurated

• King of Spain
• Popes John Paul I & John Paul II (see note below)
• President of France
• President of Ireland - 11 November, unless term of precedessor shortened by death, resignation or removal from office.
• President of the United States - 20th January after their election
• Queen of the Netherlands

Note

It remains unclear whether the decision of Popes John Paul I and John Paul II to opt for the simplified Papal Installation as a form of inauguration rather than a traditional Papal Coronation has set a precedent to be followed, or whether the successor to Pope John Paul II will return to the traditional coronation favoured by past popes for over one millennium.

See also: coronation, Inauguration Day