It was an early Wednesday morning on Jan. 20 when Joseph Biden officially became the 46th president of the United States of America. Amidst the Capitol attack crisis and a brutal pandemic, Inauguration Day pressed on. They limited in-person participation and socially distanced all seating arrangements at the Capitol. Luckily, many television companies broadcast this event to viewers at home. 

Biden and Harris were both sworn in under oath at promptly 1 a.m. Harris, the first Black Asian-American female vice-president was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina to serve on the nation’s highest court. 

Inauguration Day had many parts throughout the day. There were several performances from celebrities, including Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez. There was an inspiring African-American young woman, Amanda Gorman who recited a wonderful poem addressing America. 

Guests: Those who were there, those who were not 

Former Vice President Michael Pence and his wife attended the event. One would expect the former president to congratulate and pay his respects to the next president but this was not the case this year. The Trump administration was a no show this year. It seemed that there was more important business to attend at the Trump Mar-a-Lago country club and resort in Florida rather than being at the Capitol Building. For the first time in 150 years, the outgoing president has not shown up to inauguration day. It is apparent that Trump has not yet accepted the fact that he lost the election to Biden. 

Performances

There were a few performances, some being Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez. Lopez sang “This Land is Your Land” and “America the Beautiful,” while Lady Gaga performed The National Anthem. Amanda Gorman, a young woman who is also a Harvard Graduate recited an inspiring poem for Biden and Harris. A few of the lines in the poem should not be taken lightly. 

“We are striving to forge a union with purpose, To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters,” Gorman recited. 

Biden’s First Day 

Biden signed many executive orders on the first day of being president, including promoting racial equality, requiring mask-wearing on federal property, ending the ban on U.S. entry from majority-Muslim countries, and revising immigration enforcement policies. 

In the end, Inauguration Day was a great success even amid a raging pandemic. Only a week prior there was an attack on the Capitol Building led by pro-Trump Proud Boys. Much damage was created and much fear was put upon representatives and senators. I hope that we can fix what the last four years has left us. Inauguration Day left me with the hope that America hasn’t completely lost it by voting in a new president.