The inauguration of the American president after an election has been won is carried out in a ritual that has been revised again and again and has essentially been in effect since 1933.
That almost seems like a crowning achievement - and not least because of this it generates worldwide media attention.
In addition to the evocation of the nation, the religious framing is particularly striking.
The church attendance takes place beforehand, the swearing-in takes place on the steps of the Capitol.
But this swearing-in, with its religious, even magical elements, contains ideas that go back to the Middle Ages.
It was previously thought that America would hit rock bottom with the inauguration of Andrew Johnson in 1869.