",[89] Ari Afsar, Raja Kumari, and others. [142] Silvester Beaman, a Methodist pastor of Bethel AME Church in Wilmington, Delaware, and a friend of Biden, delivered the benediction paraphrasing Isaiah 11 by replacing both in the messianic role of the "shoot from the stump of Jesse", and in the yet-to-be-reconciled role of the "wolf" and "lamb", with references to "We the People". [118] Only around 3,000 people were to be permitted into the secure perimeter areas,[119] and the total live attendance for the scaled-down event was to be just over 1,000 people,[120] with guests seated both on the inaugural platform and in front of the platform. The U.S. Marine Band (nicknamed "The President's Own") played a medley of patriotic music by Sousa, Bagley, and others; heralded the entry of dignitaries to the inaugural platform, including the performance of "Hail, America" to introduce then-President-elect Biden; performed "Hail, Columbia" (the official anthem of the vice president) to introduce then-Vice President Pence and after Harris was sworn in, and "Hail to the Chief" (the official anthem of the president) after Biden was sworn in. [179] Nationally, few people demonstrated at state capitols. [114] New executive branch websites were initialized; previous administrations' websites reside in the National Archives. O'Donovan", "Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez to perform at Biden's inauguration", "Biden chooses Amanda Gorman as youngest known inaugural poet", "Garth Brooks to perform at Joe Biden's inauguration: 'This is a statement of unity, "Biden plans to be sworn in as president with a massive family heirloom Bible dating back to 1893", "Obama to be sworn in with Lincoln, King Bibles", "Biden's inauguration will feature Catholic signs, symbolism", "Harris to be sworn in by Justice Sonia Sotomayor at inauguration", Inauguration Day: How to watch, what to expect as Joe Biden is sworn in as president, "How Trump will hand off the 'nuclear football' to Biden", "Biden to take oath outside Capitol amid virus restrictions", "Writing a speech for Biden can be hell. [151] Biden composed the speech with the assistance of speechwriter Vinay Reddy, senior advisor Mike Donilon, then-incoming Secretary of State Tony Blinken, and chief of staff Ron Klain. [77] Musical performers included Gilberto Santa Rosa, Gaby Moreno (featuring David Garza), who performed "Fronteras",[77] Lin-Manuel Miranda and Luis Miranda paid tribute to Puerto Rico through the song "En Mi Viejo San Juan",[90] Mariachi Nuevo Santander, who performed American folk song "This Land is Your Land"; and All-Star Tejanos United, an act from Roma, Texas, performed "America the Beautiful: A Salute to the Latino Imprint". [18], On September 3, 2020, the Capitol Police Board announced that public access to the West Front of the United States Capitol would be restricted from September 7, 2020, to February 28, 2021, to "allow for the safe and secure construction of the Inaugural platform, stands, and other infrastructure necessary to support the event". There's history there", "India's Ambassador to US attends Biden's inauguration ceremony", "Armenia's Ambassador to the US to attend Joe Biden's inauguration", "UK's pitch to Biden: We'll work with you on China", "Taiwan-Biden ties off to strong start with invite for top diplomat", "Inaugeral Ceremony: 59th Presidential Inaugural (subject to change)", "Middle Tennessee native serves as announcer for fourth presidential inauguration", "Sen. Klobuchar Delivers Remarks At Inauguration", "Sen. Klobuchar Delivers Remarks At Inauguration: 'This Is The Day Our Democracy Picks Itself Up, "Missouri's Roy Blunt: Trump's decision not to attend inauguration a 'personal mistake, "Jesuit Fr. [122][123] Former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, along with respective first ladies Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, and Michelle Obama, attended, while former President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter did not, as they were unable to travel. Biden and his inaugural committee encouraged Americans to engage in acts of community service and organized over 2,500 virtual or socially distant volunteer events in 56 U.S. states and territories in partnership with AmeriCorps. The theme of this year's inauguration is … Members of the Biden administration also assumed ownership of a number of institutional accounts, including @WhiteHouse, @FLOTUS for First Lady Jill Biden, @SecondGentleman for Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, and @PressSec for White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. However, this plan was canceled due to security concerns. Wednesday marked the first time … [4], "America United" and "Our Determined Democracy: Forging a More Perfect Union"—a reference to the Preamble to the United States Constitution—served as the inaugural themes. The ceremony will begin at 4.30pm UK time. In the speech, Biden repeated his campaign pledge to "fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did". Biden is expected to take the oath of office at noon Eastern time. What time is the inauguration? [130] For the first time, the representative of Taiwan in the United States (the country's de facto ambassador) was invited to attend a presidential inauguration, with Hsiao Bi-khim attending the ceremony. [180] On January 17, three days before the inauguration, some members of the Michigan Boogaloo Bois openly carried weapons outside the state's capitol, but never became violent. [89][77] The event featured remarks and musical performances from Neera Tanden, Congresspeople Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Andy Kim, and Raja Krishnamoorthi; former Olympian Michelle Kwan; actors Kal Penn, John Cho, Kumail Nanjiani, and Chloe Bennet;[90] and musical performances by Japanese Breakfast, who played "Everybody Wants to Love You! media caption Watch again: President Biden's inauguration speech in full Chief Justice Roberts, Vice-President Harris, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Leader … Additional speakers included Al Sharpton, NAACP president Derrick Johnson, National Urban League president Marc Morial, Senators Cory Booker and Tammy Duckworth, Kansas Congresswoman Sharice Davids, actress Rosario Dawson, and several other academics and civil rights activists who spoke on the legacy of Dr. ", After the inaugural address (see below), Garth Brooks performed "Amazing Grace" (including the verse "When we've been there ten thousand years"), and asked the public to join him in singing the final verse; and National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman recited her poem "The Hill We Climb". Mexican American producer Cristela Alonzo hosted the program, remarking that Biden's inauguration will be "the beginning of the next chapter" in American history. [167] Musical act New Radicals reunited for the first time in two decades to conclude the parade with their hit song "You Get What You Give". [72] Biden and his wife volunteered at Philabundance, a non-profit food bank in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by helping box canned goods. "[139], Biden was sworn in on a Bible that has been in his family since 1893—the same one he used during his senatorial and vice presidential swearing-in ceremonies—held by his wife. [4] Another 1,000 people, often choirs and musical guests, are traditionally situated on risers above the platform, but these were not used at full capacity for this event. [183], Biden and Harris's assumption of their respective offices was met with congratulations from many world leaders, including prime ministers Scott Morrison, Alexander De Croo, Boris Johnson, Justin Trudeau, Mette Frederiksen, Sanna Marin, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Narendra Modi, Micheál Martin, Benjamin Netanyahu, Giuseppe Conte, Yoshihide Suga, Jacinda Ardern, Erna Solberg, Imran Khan, António Costa, Pedro Sanchez, and Stefan Löfven; presidents Sahle-Work Zewde, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Emmanuel Macron, Andrés Manuel López Obrador and Moon Jae-in; European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and Pope Francis. Events started at around 11am local time (4pm GMT) with the invocation, read by the Reverend Leo O'Donovan, a Jesuit priest who is the former president of Georgetown University and a close friend of the Biden family. Justin Timberlake, Demi Lovato and Jon Bon Jovi are also set to make an appearance. [81][82] The field was lit the evening of January 18. [111] When asked about the letter, Biden stated that it was "generous", but refused to provide details. [64], Rapper will.i.am then performed "American Dream",[65] a charity single supporting his fundraising initiative for the i.am Angel Foundation to expand STEM education for underprivileged students. [12][5] The committee is overseen by the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. [173] The song was used by Harris's husband, Emhoff, during 2020 campaign rallies, and was referred to by Biden in his autobiography, Promise Me, Dad, as his family's "rallying "theme song"" during his late son Beau's terminal battle with glioblastoma. According to NBC News, Andrea Hall, 'the first African American woman firefighter to become captain of Fire-Rescue Department in South Fulton' will recite the Pledge of Allegiance. [So help me God.]. [137], Leo J. O'Donovan, a Catholic priest and former president of Georgetown University,[138][139] invoked the "gracious and merciful God" in praying for Biden and Harris to "care for the common good with malice toward none and with charity for all", and quoted Archbishop John Carroll, Pope Francis, and the Epistle of James. [127] Other attendees included the family members of Biden and Harris,[118] Biden's Cabinet nominees,[118] various ambassadors to the United States,[128][129] and other dignitaries. [182] More than 21 million people watched the prime time Celebrating America special. The event will start at 4.30pm with a performance of the US national anthem, followed by a traditional invocation. [115], Most traditional inaugural festivities were conducted virtually, primarily modeled after the 2020 Democratic National Convention. What time will Biden's inauguration start? Biden recited the following, as prescribed by the Constitution: I, Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr., do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. While members of Congress, in previous years, would receive 200,000 tickets to distribute among constituents, on this occasion, each member was allotted one guest ticket,[117] with many taking their spouses. In a fairly historic snub, outgoing president Donald Trump won’t be attending the inauguration, he’s already left the city. [8] Trump repeatedly falsely disputed the legitimacy of the election, but committed to an orderly transition of power exactly two months after losing. [95], Biden and his wife, Dr. Biden, spent the night of January 19 at Blair House, the President's Guest House—a custom for incoming presidents. [148] Harris recited the following: I, Kamala Devi Harris, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. The FAA issued temporary flight restrictions over the private club … The Biden Inaugural Committee will broadcast an official livestream of all events on its website, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Twitch.. [87] Cardinal Wilton Daniel Gregory, the archbishop of Washington, delivered the ceremony's invocation; gospel singer Yolanda Adams sang "Hallelujah" and Michigan nurse Lori Marie Key performed "Amazing Grace". [108] As Air Force One lifted off, Frank Sinatra's "My Way" played—the song Trump and his wife danced to during his inaugural ball four years prior. [77], African Americans were celebrated in We Are One, hosted by Terrence J, through "inspiring stories and entertaining performances". [156] In closing his speech, Biden promised to "always level" with the American people and govern exclusively in their interest. The much-anticipated inauguration of president-elect Joe Biden and vice president-elect Kamala Harris will place on 20 January 2021 in Washington DC. [146] Biden's inauguration marked the first time a Catholic Chief Justice administered the oath to an incoming Catholic president. [93] The Wailers performed the Emilio Estefan production "One World, One Prayer", featuring relatives of Jamaican musician Bob Marley. Biden is likely to … [185][186], Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying stated that the Chinese government hopes Biden will restore bilateralism. [186], Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}38°53′23″N 77°00′36″W / 38.8898°N 77.0101°W / 38.8898; -77.0101, 59th United States presidential inauguration, *Extraordinary (intra-term) inaugurations, COVID-19 public health measures and attendance, Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election, Preamble to the United States Constitution, U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, death and state funeral of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Security preparations for the inauguration of Joe Biden, 2021 storming of the United States Capitol, (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher, Major Joseph R. "Beau" Biden III National Guard/Reserve Center, Franklin D. 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