A scaled-back event was held with thousands shivering in the cold. Some marching bands did brave the elements, others thought better of it.
The decision was made by Reagan himself who asked Senator Charles Mathias Jnr, chairman of the Joint Inauguration Committee to rip up the original arrangements.
‘‘It may be cold outside, but our hearts will always be warmed by the many wonderful memories of thousands of our fellow citizens coming to Washington this weekend to join us as we continue to work to make America great again,” he told supporters.
Reagan and his wife Nancy did attend the inauguration balls which took place around the city.
But, according to The New York Times, the cancellation proved an expensive decision, given that $10 million had been raised from ticket sales to help pay for the inauguration, which is estimated to have cost $12 million.
On Monday, amid freezing temperatures in Washington DC once again, Donald Trump is expected to be sworn in inside the US Capitol Rotunda while the inaugural parade will be held in Washington’s Capital One Arena.
