Inauguration: 4

Inauguration of Joe Biden

Pre-Inaugural Events

America United Inaugural Welcome On the Saturday before the inauguration, America United: An Inauguration Welcome Event Celebrating America’s Changemakers, opened the inaugural program by celebrating the election of Biden and Harris through a series of musical performances and political speeches. The live-streamed event opened with an original performance of “Everybody Deserves To Be Free” by the Resistance Revival Choir, a group of female and non-binary protest singers, featuring a lead vocal by soul artist Deva Mahal. Members of the group pre-recorded video and audio of their individual performances, which were digitally assembled on screen for the airing. The Pledge of Allegiance was then led by members of the Girl Scouts. Mexican American producer Cristela Alonzo introduced the program, remarking that Biden’s inauguration will be “the beginning of the next chapter” in American history. New Mexico Congresswoman Deb Haaland then recounted the contributions and struggles of America’s indigenous peoples, and introduced Quechan Indian tribal nation leader Claudette White, who joined in the performance of a traditional song.[80] After the performance, several female political organizers appeared remotely and discussed the significance of Harris’ election as the first female vice president.  Alonzo then introduced actor Nik Dodani, who emphasized the importance of Biden’s inauguration, and civil rights activist Janet Murguía, who spoke of the political successes of women of color in the 2020 presidential election.  International, national, and local union leaders, including American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten and National Education Association president Rebecca S. Pringle, along with leaders representing firefighters, government and service sector employees, steel, auto, postal, food, and communications workers then celebrated Biden’s win as a success for workers in their respective industries, citing his support of their causes, such as the Fight for $15. Actress Whoopi Goldberg then appeared and said that she feels “optimistic” for the nation under Biden and Harris’ leadership, and actor and musician Darren Criss then performed a cover of “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher”.  Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms of Atlanta, Georgia, an early endorser of Biden’s 2020 campaign,[84] then joined, saying Biden “will ensure that all Americans ... have their voices heard”. Musical group the Black Pumas then performed their song “Colors” and said they are "looking forward to a new sense of optimism, unity and peace" for all Americans. Concluding the event, New York Congresswoman Grace Meng introduced Harris, who said that she “stands on the shoulders” of those who created opportunities for women, particularly African-American women, to participate and lead in politics.

Official Musical Playlist The Biden Inaugural Committee released an official musical playlist of 46 songs (symbolizing Biden as the 46th president) that was curated by disc jockey D-Nice and music label Raedio,  created by actress Issa Rae.  The playlist is part of the committee's efforts to have Americans participate from home for the inauguration.  The playlist, released on all major streaming platforms, includes Biden, Harris, and their spouses' "walk-on songs", which were played when they appeared on stage at campaign rallies.  According to Rolling Stone, Biden's "walk-on song" is "We Take Care of Our Own" by Bruce Springsteen; Jill Biden's is "You Make My Dreams (Come True)" by Hall & Oates; Harris's is "Work That" by Mary J. Blige; and Emhoff's is "You Get What You Give" by New Radicals. Committee CEO Allen remarked that the musical selections "reflect the relentless spirit and rich diversity of America" and will serve as the "score to a new chapter" in American history as Biden and Harris begin their "important work to unite [the] country".

"We the People" Virtual Concert On the Sunday before the inauguration, Biden's inaugural committee organized the virtual "We the People" concert fundraiser co-hosted by actor Keegan-Michael Key and actress Debra Messing. Attendees of the live-streamed event had to donate to the Biden Inaugural Committee to be allowed entry.  The concert opened with Biden and his wife, Jill, thanking supporters of his campaign and acknowledging the lives lost in the COVID-19 pandemic; Biden remarked that it is the “honor of [his] lifetime” to serve as president. Musician Ben Harper was the first musical performance of the night, playing his song “With My Own Two Hands”.  Singer Michael Bivins made a video appearance and thanked viewers for their donations. Band AJR then performed their song “Bummerland”. Singer Barbra Streisand then joined to congratulate Biden and Harris, calling for them to “restore the health” of the United States and world; she also performed her rendition of “Happy Days Are Here Again”, an American standard.  Messing introduced actor and former Barack Obama administration member Kal Penn, who reflected on the importance of the inauguration and hope of a “brighter future”.  Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, then joined via video link to thank supporters and list the issues they will face in leading the nation. Rapper will.i.am then performed “American Dream”, a charity single supporting his fundraising initiative for the i.am Angel Foundation to expand STEM education for underprivileged students. Actress and activist Sophia Bush later appeared to thank donors to the inaugural committee, and musician Carole King performed her Grammy Award-winning song “You’ve Got a Friend”. Mexican actor Jaime Camil then delivered a short address on immigration, and James Taylor performed “America the Beautiful”, which he also played at the 2013 inauguration.  Actress Connie Britton reflected on political unity and the time she met then-Vice President Biden at the 2016 United State of Women Summit.  Musical act Fall Out Boy performed their song “Centuries” in a pre-recorded video.  Cher then addressed Biden and Harris's win, saying that she is "thrilled" and "optimistic" for them to lead the nation; she then performed a cover of Miley Cyrus's song "I Hope You Find It". In concluding the event, DJ Cassidy addressed viewers and sampled music.

National Day of Service Two days before Inauguration Day, January 18, 2021, was Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday that recognizes Dr. King's birthday. Biden and his inaugural committee encouraged Americans to engage in acts of community service and organized over 2,500 virtual or socially distant volunteer events in 56 U.S. states and territories in partnership with AmeriCorps. The committee recommended several volunteer activities aimed at improving people's economic, health, and social well-being,  including writing cards for those recovering from COVID-19, knitting sentimental items for the homeless, serving at "contactless" food and clothing donation drives, and participating in community cleanups. Biden and his wife volunteered at Philabundance, a non-profit food bank in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by helping box canned goods. Harris and her husband volunteered in Washington, D.C.

United We Serve Online Event On the evening of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Biden inaugural committee celebrated Dr. King's commitment to community service through virtual speeches and music in United We Serve: A Celebration of the National MLK Day of Service. Co-hosts Sean Patrick Thomas and Lynn Whitfield introduced the event and commended the acts of volunteerism Americans participated in during the day of service; both Harris and her husband, Emhoff, appeared and discussed the importance of the inauguration and community service. Dr. King’s son, Martin Luther King III, daughter-in-law, Andrea, and granddaughter, Yolanda, discussed community service; his youngest daughter, Rev. Dr. Bernice King, then spoke at a pulpit and remarked on her late father’s practice of nonviolence. Musician Aloe Blacc performed his song "My Way";  cellist Yo-Yo Ma performed Air and Simple Gifts, a composition he also performed at the 2009 inauguration in the presence of then-Vice President-elect Biden; Andra Day performed her song "Rise Up"; BeBe Winans sang Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech; Alejandro Fernández and band Maná performed "Decepciones"; and Chesca and Diane Warren performed "El Cambio”, which was frequently played during Biden's campaign. Additional speakers included Rev. Al Sharpton, NAACP president Derrick Johnson, National Urban League president Marc Morial, Senators Cory Booker and Tammy Duckworth, Kansas Congresswoman Sharice Davids, actress Rosario Dawson, and several other academics and civil rights activists who spoke on the legacy of Dr. King.

Field of Flags Across the National Mall to 13th Street, a public art display composed of 191,500 U.S. flags and 56 pillars of light (representing the 50 U.S. states, D.C., and five U.S. territories), were installed, representing those who could not attend the inauguration in person due to the attendance restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  The field was lit the evening of January 18.

Lincoln Memorial Lighting On Tuesday, January 19, Biden departed his home state of Delaware in a send-off ceremony at his late son Beau Biden's namesake Major Joseph R. "Beau" Biden III National Guard/Reserve Center in New Castle; the event included remarks from Governor John Carney, Biden and his wife, Dr. Biden, and a benediction by Rabbi Michael S. Beals of Congregation Beth Shalom in Wilmington. Later that day, Biden, Harris, and their spouses participated in a nationwide lighting ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Inaugural organizers invited communities around the United States to light buildings and ring church bells at 5:30 p.m. ET on the eve of the inauguration in a moment of "unity and remembrance" for those lost to the pandemic. The Lincoln Memorial lighting was held simultaneously, providing a moment of national reflection to help Americans find the spirit to rebuild after the pandemic.  Cardinal Wilton Daniel Gregory, the archbishop of Washington, delivered the ceremony's invocation; gospel singer Yolanda Adams sang "Hallelujah" and Michigan nurse Lori Marie Key performed "Amazing Grace". Both Biden and Harris, in their addresses, emphasized the importance of national grieving, with Biden saying it’s “how [Americans] heal".  Several national landmarks participated in the lighting ceremony, including the Empire State Building, Space Needle, and buildings in major U.S. cities and on tribal lands. Washington National Cathedral tolled its bells 400 times in memory of the over 400,000 Americans who died, thus far, in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other Virtual Events Inaugural program organizers also held three separate live-streamed events commemorating the contributions of various racial and ethnic groups to the cultural diversity of America.

Asian American and Pacific Islanders Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) were celebrated in AAPI Inaugural Ball: Breaking Barriers, a partnership between the inaugural committee, and advocacy organizations IMPACT and RUN AAPI. The event featured remarks and musical performances from Neera Tanden, Congresspeople Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Andy Kim, and Raja Krishnamoorthi; former Olympian Michelle Kwan; actors Kal Penn, John Cho, Kumail Nanjiani, and Chloe Bennet;  and musical performances by Japanese Breakfast, who played "Everybody Wants to Love You!", Ari Afsar, Raja Kumari, and others.

African Americans African Americans were celebrated in We Are One, hosted by Terrence J, through "inspiring stories and entertaining performances". Politicians Stacey Abrams, congresspeople Jim Clyburn, Cedric Richmond, Joyce Beatty, Senator Cory Booker, and Senator-elect Rev. Raphael Warnock appeared.  Actors and actresses, including Leslie Jones and Kim Fields, were also featured; musical acts Tobe Nwigwe, DJ D-Nice, Frankie Beverly, The O’Jays, Rapsody, and Step Afrika!, among others, performed. The event also included a Battle of the Bands, featuring several historically black college marching bands from around the nation. Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority president Dr. Glenda Glover and Howard University president Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick delivered remarks.

Hispanic and Latino Americans Hispanic and Latino Americans were celebrated in Latino Inaugural 2021: Inheritance, Resilience, and Promise, hosted by Eva Longoria, in partnership with many Hispanic advocacy groups, including the Hispanic Federation.  Entertainment figures John Leguizamo, Rita Moreno, Edward James Olmos, Ivy Queen, and Becky G appeared along with many civil and voting rights advocates and U.S. senators Ben Ray Luján, Bob Menendez, Catherine Cortez Masto, and Alex Padilla (Harris' senatorial designate).  Musical performers included Gilberto Santa Rosa, Gaby Moreno (featuring David Garza), who performed "Fronteras", Lin-Manuel Miranda and Luis Miranda paid tribute to Puerto Rico through the song "En Mi Viejo San Juan",   Mariachi Nuevo Santander, who performed American folk song “This Land is Your Land”; and All-Star Tejanos United, an act from Roma, Texas, performed "America the Beautiful: A Salute to the Latino Imprint". The Wailers performed the Emilio Estefan production "One World, One Prayer", featuring relatives of Jamaican musician Bob Marley.

Train Ride Biden originally planned to travel to Washington, D.C. from Wilmington, Delaware on an Amtrak passenger train, which he routinely took during his time as a U.S. Senator—earning him the nickname "Amtrak Joe". However, this plan was canceled due to security concerns. On January 20, 2017, after completing his tenure as vice president, Biden departed the city on an Amtrak Acela train bound for his namesake station in Wilmington, Delaware.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inauguration_of_Joe_Biden