On Sunday, Obama will be sworn into office around noon EST in a quiet
affair in the White House. Joe Biden will be sworn in about 8:15 a.m.
in a separate ceremony at the Naval Observatory, the official residence
of the vice president. The Constitution requires that the president and
vice president take office by noon on Jan. 20, which is Sunday, but it
has become a tradition not to hold the festivities surrounding the event
on a Sunday. So both men will be sworn in twice.
The inauguration ceremony for President Obama’s second term will be
held on Monday, but besides being sworn in on a platform on the West
Front of the Capitol, he will participate in a whole range of events,
from volunteering to ballroom dancing.
The White House has called for those in Washington, D.C., and people
nationwide to join the president in what he’s called “a fitting way to
honor a man who lived his life in loving service to others.”
That event will be followed by the inaugural parade, which will begin
at 2:35 p.m. EST, running along Pennsylvania Avenue and featuring
Obama, Biden and their wives along with a number of floats and vehicles
accompanying the presidential escort.
The after-parties have also been curtailed, with just two official
inaugural balls planned – the Commander-in-Chief’s Ball, mainly held for
members of the Armed Services, and the Inaugural Ball, for the invitees
of the president. Of course, there will also be numerous unofficial
balls and other events.
The balls are followed by a national prayer service Tuesday 10:30
a.m. EST at the National Cathedral, which marks the end of the inaugural
ceremonies.
Back to this blog to see this ceremony live streaming.