Historic inaugural items showcased

AUSTIN (KXAN) - As the nation prepares for President-Elect Barack Obama's inauguration, Luci Baines Johnson remembers her father's inauguration and experiences in the White House with showcased items from the 1965 inauguration not normally seen by the public Thursday.

Though Obama's inauguration is expected to break the record-size inauguration crowd of 1.2 million people who attended President Johnson's inauguration, Johnson's legacy lives on through 15 museum objects at the LBJ Library.

The following items of both personal and symbolic significance were on display:

• The Johnson family Bible held by Mrs. Johnson when President Johnson took the oath of office. His mother gave it to LBJ in 1952, and it was used when he was sworn in as vice president in 1961. Mrs. Johnson was the first president's wife to hold the Bible at the swearing-in ceremony. This tradition of the first lady holding a family Bible has continued to the present.
• Coat and hat worn by Mrs. Johnson during the swearing-in ceremony
• Mrs. Johnson's inaugural gala evening gown
• An American flag that flew over the Capitol on Inauguration Day
• Menu and silver candy dish from the Inauguration Luncheon
• Inauguration buttons, ribbons, badges, medallions, key chains, bracelets, and commemorative license plate
• Inaugural Ball tickets, programs, invitations
• Newspapers articles and political cartoons about the 1965 inauguration

The museum store features inaugural memorabilia, including Barack Obama commemorative Inauguration 2009 buttons, various items from LBJ's 1965 inauguration and mementos from other presidencies.

The LBJ Library has also created a special Web page with photographs, interesting facts and "firsts" associated with the 1965 inauguration.