Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States, Inauguration
February 2, 2021
Joe Biden was sworn in on January 20th, 2021 as the 46th president of the United States; he was sworn in at the West Front around noon on his family bible.
This inauguration made history in two regards: President Biden is the oldest person to be elected in american history at the age of 78, and Vice President Kamala Harris, also made history by becoming the first female and the first person of color to become the Vice President in the United States.
Due to COVID-19 the inauguration was different than years past. To avoid large gatherings only 1,000 guests attended the swearing in of the new president, all of which were socially distant. There was also an increase of security after the recent events at the capital regarding the election.
According to CNN, Donald Trump was the first president in 150 years to boycott the new president’s inauguration. Trump did wish Biden luck saying, “I wish the new administration great luck and great success. I think they’ll have great success. They have the foundation to do something really spectacular.”
After Biden was sworn in, Lady Gaga performed the Star-Spangled Banner, Garth Brooks, Jennifer Lopez and many others also had musical performances throughout the day.
After Lady Gaga’s performance there was a virtual parade available to the whole country. The “Parade Across America” was like any other parade with bands, singers, dancers and athletes but it was available to stream online.
Following the parade Tom Hanks hosted an hour and a half TV special standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. during which Hanks stated, “Inauguration Day is about much more than the swearing in of our next national leaders. This day is about witnessing the permanence of our American ideal.”
The night was finished off with a firework show that Biden and his family watched from a White House balcony.
During Biden’s inaugural address, he promised, “…together, we shall write an American story of hope, not fear; of unity, not division; of light, not darkness; a story of decency and dignity, love and healing, greatness and goodness.”