Inauguration day is finally here. The sun will be shining in Washington D.C. and all around the nation, as we emerge from the cold dark winter of the last 4 years. It will not feature the large crowds typical of Presidential Inaugurations in this season of COVID-19 and the trump virus, but there will be plenty of events to watch all day from the comfort of our homes. It will be a day to remember forever.
Here is a quick guide to the upcoming events of the day. All times shown are EST.
9:45 a.m. President-elect Biden attends church service
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM — Our White House: An Inaugural Celebration for Young Americans (livestream)
- Host Keke Palmer
- Messages by Dr. Jill Biden, historians Doris Kearns Goodwin and Erica Armstrong Dunbar
- A segment on presidential pets produced by Nickelodeon
- Excerpts of student voices from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs “We the Young People” programming
- Trivia questions, including some asked by Doug Emhoff
- Segments produced by the Library of Congress.
11:30 a.m. Inaugural Ceremonies
- Invocation – Father Leo J. O’Donovan
- Pledge of Allegiance – Andrea Hall
- National Anthem – Lady Gaga
- 11:45 a.m.: Swearing-in of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. West Front of the U.S. Capitol by Justice Sonia Sotomayor
- 12:00 p.m.: Swearing-in of President-elect Joe Biden. West Front of the U.S. Capitol by Chief Justice John Roberts.
- 12:15 p.m.: President Biden delivers his inaugural address. West Front of the U.S. Capitol.
- Special Guests
- Poet Amanda Gorman, 22
- Musical performances by Jennifer Lopez and Garth Brooks
- Benediction — Rev. Silvester Beaman, pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
1:45 p.m. Pass in Review
- Pass in Review on the East Front with Biden, Harris, their spouses and members of the military. Pass in Reviews are a long-standing military tradition that reflect the peaceful transfer of power to a new Commander-in-Chief.
2:45 p.m. — Wreath Laying at Arlington National Cemetery
- Biden, Harris, Dr. Jill Biden and Mr. Emhoff will visit Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
- In attendance - President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, President George W. Bush and Laura Bush, and President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton.
3:00 p.m. Presidential Escort and Parade Across America
- Presidential Escort from 15th Street to the White House with the U.S. Army Band, a Joint Service Honor Guard, and the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard and Fife and Drum Corps from the 3rd U.S. Infantry “The Old Guard.”
- “Parade Across America,” television show featuring diverse, dynamic performances in communities across the country.
8:30 p.m. — “Celebrating America” 90-minute Primetime Special
- Host Tom Hanks
- Remarks from Biden and Harris
- Performances by Ant Clemons, Jon Bon Jovi, Foo Fighters, John Legend, Eva Longoria, Demi Lovato, Bruce Springsteen, Justin Timberlake, and Kerry Washington. Also, Tim McGraw and Florida Georgia Line's Tyler Hubbard, and Katy Perry.
9:53 p.m – White House Fireworks
Most of the events will be carried live by ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, MSNBC, and PBS and can also be watched at the links below -
There is an official playlist of songs for the inauguration. Check it out!