Decades Network Looks Back At Inaugurations Of The Past

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- As America looks toward the future with the inauguration of Donald Trump, it's also a good time to look at inaugurations of the past to show how they shaped our history.

Tapping the resources of the CBS News archives, the Decades Network is taking a look at inaugurations since the advent of television.

Veteran journalist Bill Kurtis will host the coverage about Inauguration Day, which is a uniquely American tradition the re-enforces what American democracy is all about.

"It means we have a revolution every 4 years that is peaceful. If you do a good job you get 8 years, if not there's somebody new," Kurtis explained to CBS4's Eliott Rodriguez.

During the throwback channel's special coverage of Inauguration Day, viewers can relive every inauguration of the TV age and hear the speeches that inspired and helped unify a nation.

"This will be 8 hours of coverage, every one of these 14 speeches all in a row beginning on Thursday and all the way to Saturday."

When asked what he thought were some of the greatest moments of Inauguration Day since Harry Truman, he replied, "JFK said 'Ask not what your country can do for you', that was from an inauguration."

"Then of course Ronald Reagan was the great communicator and Bill Clinton was no slouch."

Another memorable moment was during the Inauguration of JFK when poet Robert Frost needed shade from a hat to read his poem. He ended up reciting it from memory.

"He winged it, after all he wrote it and he did a pretty good job."

Decades is our digital sub-channel airing on channel 4.2. To find out how else you can watch, go to Decades.com.