Reciting 'On The Pulse Of Morning' At Bill Clinton Inauguration

On 20/01/1993, Maya Angelou recited her original poem “On the Pulse of Morning” during the first inauguration of President Bill Clinton in Washington, D.C. The reading took place at the U.S. Capitol as part of the official ceremony attended by national leaders, invited guests, and a large public audience. Angelou’s appearance followed a tradition of inaugural poetry that had previously included Robert Frost at President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration in 1961. Angelou’s recitation addressed themes of unity, responsibility, and renewal, referencing American history and encouraging collective reflection at the start of a new presidential administration. The performance was broadcast nationally and introduced her voice to a wide audience beyond her established readership. Following the inauguration, the poem was published in book form and later released as a recording, which won the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album in 1994. Her participation marked the first time an African American and a woman delivered a poem at a U.S. presidential inauguration. The moment became one of the most widely recognized public readings of her career and contributed to renewed attention to her writing in the early 1990s.