Inauguration Day 2021- Schedule Of Events For The Day
Wednesday January 20th, is inauguration day in Washington D.C. COVID-19 along with the storming of the U.S. Capital last week are making for some major changes to the day.
The theme for the Inauguration ceremony will be 'America United'. This was the central focus for the Biden-Harris ticket during the campaign. The Presidential Inaugural Committee says that the theme will reflect the beginning of a new national journey that restores the soul of America and brings the country together.
Inauguration Day begins at 7am - 9:30 with 'Our White House - An Inaugural Celebration for Young Americans That event can be watched online at BidenInaugural.org/youth as well as on the committee's YouTube channel.
The Inaugural ceremonies begin around 9am Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will take their oaths of office on the steps of the Capital building, just like Presidents before them did. After he is sworn into office President Biden will deliver his Inaugural address, which will lay out his vision for defeating the pandemic, and unify and heal the nation.
Due to safety measures , attendance for the event will be limited, but former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton are expect to attend along with their wives.
The wreath laying at Arlington National Cemetery will be attended by the new President and Vice President as well as the past presidents. There will be a wreath laying at the Tomb of The Unknown solider. Following that Biden will receive a presidential escort to the White House with every branch of the U.S. Military represented.
The Parade will be virtual this year, that begins around 12:15pm and later in the evening it's the Celebrating America Primetime Special hosted by Tom Hanks. That will feature performances by Jon Bon Jovi , John Legend, Bruce Springsteen, The Foo Fighters and Justin Timberlake to name a few.
There will be a large National Guard presence at the Inaugural events across the city, more than 23 thousand troops have been deployed to aid in security for Inauguration Day.