As the weather outside was harsh, with daytime temperatures of 7 °F (−14 °C) and wind chills of −25 °F (−32 °C), the event organizers were forced to move the public inaugural ceremony, which had been planned for the open air, inside to the Capitol Rotunda.

[3][4][5] Forty years later, in 2025, the second inauguration of Donald Trump was also moved to the Capital rotunda due to cold weather.

After Reagan's inaugural address and the pronunciation of the benediction by Peter J. Gomes, the U.S. Marine Band played The Star Spangled Banner.

A replacement event was held in the Capital Centre;[7] Coverage of the inauguration was provided throughout the United States by NBC,[8] CBS,[9] ABC,[10] and CNN.

[12][13] On May 27, 1985 (Memorial Day), twenty of the more than fifty high school marching bands that had been scheduled to perform in the cancelled inaugural parade performed in the President's Inaugural Bands Parade held at Walt Disney World's EPCOT Center theme park.