In 1826, to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the recent (coincidental) passing of principal author Thomas Jefferson, Chief Justice John Marshall announced a minor change to the Presidential swearing-in ceremony.

Jefferson Bible
by Ed & Jeff ProvineHenceforth, Presidents would be required to place their left hand on the Jefferson Bible during the oath of office (although Article Two of the US Constitution placed specific requirements on the wording of the oath, the choice of Bible was not mandated).

Formally known as the "The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth", the twenty-six page document was extracted from the doctrine of Jesus during 1819. Sections of the New Testament containing supernatural aspects (as well as perceived misinterpretations Jefferson believed had been added by the Four Evangelists) were removed, the end result being a compiled (but not edited) statement of the principles of pure deism.

Across Catholic Europe, Marshall's announcement was widely considered an endorsement of sacrilege. But in Washington, these Old World opinions were rejected in order to nurture the Jeffersonian dream of a nation of libertarian Gentleman Farmers.