Book Minute

President Dwight Eisenhower was born on this day in 1890. Shortly before his first inauguration in 1953, the president-elect asked Billy Graham to suggest a Bible verse for his oath of office. Using the same Bible George Washington used at his inauguration, Ike rested his hand on 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” In addition, Eisenhower used a second Bible — his personal West Point Bible — opened to Psalm 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”