Watch The Inauguration of Joseph R. Biden Jr.

On January 20, 2021, The United States of America witnessed the historic inauguration of Joseph R. Biden Jr. as the 46th President of the United States. The event was held at the West Front of the US Capitol in Washington DC, the same location as the violent insurrection just two weeks prior. But on this day, the area was fortified by thousands of members of the National Guard and law enforcement.

The ceremony was imbued with the symbolism that has come to represent American politics, with the peaceful transition of power from one president to another. As the ceremony began, former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton along with their wives and Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff arrived at the Capitol. They were followed by President-elect Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden.

Throughout the ceremony, the crowd was treated to musical performances, prayers, and speeches by dignitaries that covered a range of topics. The event was hosted by Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, who introduced Chief Justice John Roberts for the swearing-in of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, making her the first woman, first African American, and first South Asian American to hold the position.

After Justice Roberts administered the oath of office to Harris, she gave her first speech as Vice President, emphasizing the importance of the moment and expressing her commitment to serving the country.

Following Vice President Harris’ speech, the musical selections began, with performances by Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, and Garth Brooks. Lady Gaga sang a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem, while Jennifer Lopez added her personal touch by quoting “One Nation Under God” in Spanish. Garth Brooks closed the musical program with an emotional rendition of “Amazing Grace.”

After the performances, Chief Justice Roberts administered the oath of office to President-elect Biden, with his left hand on a family Bible held by his wife, Dr. Jill Biden. A hush fell over the crowd as Biden took the oath, and then he delivered his inaugural address.

In his address, President Biden called for unity and healing, stressing that “the American story depends not on any one of us, not on some of us, but on all of us. On we the people who seek a more perfect union.” He also touched on a range of issues including the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy, climate change, racial justice, and democracy. Biden emphasized his belief in the power of Democracy and highlighted the importance of honest communications for a Democracy to stay functional.

Following President Biden’s address, Amanda Gorman, the first-ever Youth Poet Laureate of the United States, delivered her rousing poem, “The Hill We Climb,” which emphasized unity and hope for a better future. Gorman’s poem was met with thunderous applause from the crowd, and it was widely praised for its inspiring message.

In addition to the ceremony itself, the audience was also treated to a rendition of “This Land Is Your Land” by a group of firefighters and a parade of military escorts that included a diverse group of Americans representing all 50 states and US territories.

Overall, The Inauguration of Joseph R. Biden Jr. was a momentous occasion for the United States, as it capped off a contentious election and a tumultuous four years under outgoing President Donald Trump. With the peaceful transfer of power and the promise of unity and progress, the event gave Americans hope for a brighter future.