With just a few weeks until Barack Obama is sworn in as president, and expectations that he'll deliver a world-changing inaugural address, how about a look at the competition?

We begin at the beginning, with George Washington's first inaugural address, delivered in 1789, on the steps of Federal Hall in New York City, and with a Masonic Bible on hand for the swearing in. If you think there was a lot of God talk from politicians over the last eight years, check this out:

It would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes, and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success the functions allotted to his charge. In tendering this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own, nor those of my fellow-citizens at large less than either. No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States.

Here's the whole thing.