The much-anticipated day is almost here. Tomorrow, shortly after noon, the United States will have a new President and Vice President. While the Biden administration has discouraged excited spectators from traveling to Washington DC for the Inauguration due to COVID-19 concerns, there will be plenty to watch from the comfort of your home! Read along to learn everything you need to know about watching tomorrow’s historic Inauguration.
The official schedule for the Biden Inauguration began last Saturday, and has included events like the We The People Concert and a celebration of the “United We Serve” National Martin Luther King Day of Service. If you can’t wait for tomorrow’s festivities, you can tune in to the following events taking place today. Check out the official schedule here.
At 5:30 PM EST, the Presidential Inaugural Committee will host a Nationwide COVID-19 Memorial to remember and honor the lives lost to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ceremony will feature a lighting around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in a national moment of unity and remembrance. The event will be streamed here.
At 7:00 PM EST, the Presidential Inaugural Committee will partner with IMPACT and RUN AAPI for the AAPI Inaugural Ball: Breaking Barriers. The event will celebrate the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and the contributions they make to our nation, featuring remarks from organizers, political leaders, celebrities and musical, comedy, and cultural performances. The event will be streamed here.
At 8:00 PM EST, join the Presidential Inaugural Committee for the We Are One celebration to honor and celebrate all within the Black Community and African Diaspora. The event will feature powerful speakers, inspiring stories, and entertaining performances. The event will be streamed here.
At 9:30 PM EST, the Presidential Inaugural Committee, in partnership with the Hispanic Federation and over 50 co-host organizations, will host the Latino Inaugural 2021: Inheritance, Resilience, and Promise event. Join this celebration to pay tribute to Latinos’ contributions to our nation and enjoy appearances and musical performances by prominent members of our Latino community. The event will be streamed here.
Inauguration will start tomorrow morning at approximately 11 AM EST. The events will begin with an invocation by Reverend Leo J. O’Donovan. The Pledge of Allegiance will be recited by Andrea Hall, the first Black female firefighter to become captain of the Fire Rescue Department in Georgia’s South Fulton. Lady Gaga will proceed to sing the national anthem. Amanda Gorman, the country’s first Youth Poet Laureate (who has a speech impediment that, like President-elect Biden, she has worked hard to overcome), will read a poem she has written for the ceremony. Performances by pop star Jennifer Lopez, rock icon Bruce Sprinsteen and country star Garth Brooks will follow. Then, Reverend Silvester Beaman will deliver a benediction.
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and President-elect Joe Biden will then be sworn in on the West front of the U.S. Capitol around noon. Harris—the first woman, Black, and South Asian American Vice President—will be sworn in by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina Supreme Court Justice. She will be sworn in on two bibles, one that once belonged to former Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and another that belonged to her close family friend, Regina Shelton.
President-elect Biden will be sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts, as is customary. He will place his hand on his family’s 127-year old Bible, which will be held by his wife, Dr. Jill Biden. After taking his oath of office, President Biden will deliver his inaugural address, the theme of which is “America United.” You can watch the Inaugural ceremonies on any major network or streamed live here.
After the ceremony, the President, First Lady, Vice President, and Second Gentleman will participate in a Pass in Review on the East front of the Capitol with members of the military. This is a long-standing tradition to reflect the peaceful transfer of power to a new Commander-in-Chief. After the review, the President, Vice President and their spouses will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. The Obamas, Bushes, and Clintons will also be in attendance. Then, the President will receive a Presidential Escort to the White House.
Typically, new Presidents take part in a Presidential Parade down Pennsylvania Avenue, but this year will be a little different. A Virtual Parade Across America will be televised all throughout the country and feature performances from all 56 states and territories. You can stream the parade here.
Instead of the traditional inaugural balls, the day will conclude with the Celebrating America event at 8:30 PM EST. The 90-minute program will feature remarks from President Biden and Vice President Harris as well as performances to represent America’s rich diversity and extensive talent. You can watch this event on any major network or streamed live here.
From IQLatino, we wish you all a happy, and safe, Inauguration Day!