ourpresidents:

Jimmy Started Something New

In 1977, Jimmy Carter started a tradition that has now become one of the most anticipated events on Inauguration Day.

While in the motorcade of the Inaugural Parade, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter exited their car to walk the route to the White House.

Only the Secret Service had been notified of Carter’s decision to break with tradition, and at first, parade viewers thought the car had broken down.

Nine-year-old Amy Carter joined her parents for part of the parade route, jumping and skipping along Pennsylvania Avenue in her excitement.

-from the Carter Library