Can you imagine how the Obama and the Biden families slept last night? I could barely sleep. Today is the day!
This morning, the Obamas are at a prayer service at St. John's Episcopal Church and then having coffee with the Bushes.
Ceremonies begin at 11:30 am. Obama takes the oath of office at 12 noon eastern. He officially becomes president at noon even if he hasn't taken the oath at that time. The parade begins at about 2:30 pm. If you take pictures, you can share them at the official inauguration photo book. Here's a list of places you can watch online. Here's a rundown of the day from the official inaugural planning site:
January 20, 2009The Balls
The Inaugural swearing-in ceremony marks the end of one presidential term and the beginning of the next. The swearing-in ceremony takes place on the West Front of the United States Capitol. As per the Twentieth Amendment to the United States Constitution, the term of the newly elected President begins at noon on January 20.
President-elect Obama will place his hand on the Lincoln Bible, selected specifically for this occasion, and recite the 35-word presidential oath of office as written in the United States Constitution, making him the 44th President of the United States.
Swearing In Ceremony Program
Program Begins at 11:30 AM EST
Musical Selections
The United States Marine Band
The San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus
Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks
The Honorable Dianne Feinstein
Invocation
Dr. Rick Warren, Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA
Musical Selection
Aretha Franklin
Oath of Office Administered to Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
By Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
The Honorable John Paul Stevens
Musical Selection
John Williams, Composer/Arranger
Itzahk Perlman, Violin
Yo-Yo Ma, Cello
Gabriella Montero, Piano
Anthony McGill, Clarinet
Oath of Office Administered to President-elect Barack H. Obama
By the Chief Justice of the United States
The Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.
Inaugural Address
The President of the United States,
The Honorable Barack H. Obama
Poem
Elizabeth Alexander
Benediction
The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery
The National Anthem
The United States Navy Band “Sea Changers”
Inaugural Luncheon
Following the swearing-in ceremony on the West Front of the United States Capitol, President Barack Obama, Vice President Joseph Biden, and members of their families will attend an inaugural luncheon hosted by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. The luncheon is an inaugural tradition that dates back to President William McKinley’s first inauguration in 1897. Approximately 200 guests will join the President, Vice President and members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies at the luncheon, which will be held in Statuary Hall. A special painting selected by the Chairman of the Inaugural Committee will serve as a backdrop for the head table. Music will be provided by the Smithsonian Chamber Players. At the luncheon, the President and Vice President will be presented with official gifts from the Congress on behalf of the American people. The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies is responsible for planning the swearing-in ceremony and the inaugural luncheon honoring the President and Vice President.
Inaugural Parade
For more than two hundred years, in times of war and peace, uncertainty and prosperity; presidents, their families, and citizens from all walks of life have marked Inauguration Day by marching up Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House, united at each and every moment in common purpose and bold determination to advance the promise of America.
It’s the route walked by Thomas Jefferson in the first inaugural parade more than two centuries ago; the route bookended by the unfinished dome of the Capitol and the still-rising Washington Monument as Abraham Lincoln took office; the route millions of Americans watched John F. Kennedy travel in the new-fallen snow after he asked them to think anew with regard to serving their fellow man.
This year’s parade features over 90 groups and over 13,000 participants, floats, and vehicles. These talented groups and organizations represent the best values and traditions of our great nation—service to others, commitment to community, and faith in a brighter future. They embody the theme of this year’s Inauguration—“Renewing America’s Promise”—a proud declaration of our firm resolve as a nation to expand the dream of opportunity for every American, and reaffirm America’s standing as a beacon of hope around the world.
The Parade begins at 4th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW and continues along Pennsylvania Avenue until its conclusion at 17th Street. The president, vice president, and their families will view the parade from the presidential reviewing stand in front of the White House, on the south side of Pennsylvania Avenue. Along the route, there is a combination of public viewing and ticketed viewing. Tickets were made available to the general public and sold by the PIC. About 100 Washington DC, students were invited by the PIC to watch the inaugural parade by the White House.
Where:
Parade Staging Area: The Pentagon North Parking Lot
Parade Assembly Area: The Ellipse and Constitution
Avenue from 15th Street to 7th Street
Parade Route:
Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House.
When:
Tuesday, January 20
Parade Staging Area: 7:30 AM–2:30 PM
Parade Assembly Area: 10:30 AM–4:30 PM
Parade Route: 2:30–5:30 PM
Who:
President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Dr. Jill Biden Joint civilian and military participants, horse units, marching bands, drill teams, and floats
Official Inaugural Balls
On Tuesday evening, America will join President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden at a collection of inaugural balls. The evening’s festivities will feature talented Americans from across the country, including some of today’s most popular artists.
This year, the Presidential Inaugural Committee has organized ten inaugural balls. In keeping with his commitment to make this inaugural celebration open and accessible to all Americans, President Obama will host the “Neighborhood Inaugural Ball” during this year’s inaugural celebration. With tickets available free or at a low-dollar amount, it is the first inaugural ball of its kind to be held during a presidential inauguration and features a robust internet-based component to link neighborhoods across the country with the new President at this premier event. He will also continue the tradition started in 2005 by former President George W. Bush to host a Commander-in-Chief’s Ball exclusively for the brave men and women of our military.
Rounding out the balls on the evening of January 20 will be a Youth Ball, a low-dollar event for young people to share in the celebration, and a group of regional balls for guests from around the country. The balls will take place at five locations across Washington DC: Union Station, the National Building Museum, the DC Armory, the Hilton Washington Hotel, and the Walter E. Washington Convention Center which will host six balls.
Neighborhood Inaugural Ball
Americans from across the country
Commander-in-Chief’s Ball
Men and women of our Armed Forces.
Youth Ball
President Obama Home States Ball
Hawaii, Illinois
Vice President Biden Home States Ball
Delaware, Pennsylvania
Eastern Ball
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, United States Virgin Islands, Vermont
Mid-Atlantic Ball
Democrats Abroad, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, DC, West Virginia
Midwestern Ball
Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
Southern Ball
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas
Western Ball
Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
The Neighborhood Inaugural Ball
In keeping with his commitment to make this inaugural celebration open and accessible to all Americans, President Barack Obama will host the first-ever “Neighborhood Inaugural Ball.” The ball will be the premier event of inauguration evening on January 20 and will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
With tickets available free or at an affordable price, the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball is the first of its kind to be held during a presidential inauguration. Some tickets will be set aside for District of Columbia residents, while other tickets will be reserved for Americans traveling to Washington from across the country. The Neighborhood Inaugural Ball will have a robust interactive component, including webcasting and text messaging, to link neighborhoods across the country with the new President and this premier event.
Where:
Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Hall D
801 Mount Vernon Place NW
Washington, DC 20001
When:
Doors Open – 5:00 PM
Program Begins – 7:00 PM
Who:
President Barack Obama
First Lady Michelle Obama
Vice President Joseph Biden
Dr. Jill Biden
Performances:
Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, JAY-Z, Alicia Keys, Shakira and Stevie Wonder to perform, Nick Cannon to DJ
The Commander-in-Chief's Ball
Continuing the tradition started in 2005 by President George W. Bush, President Barack Obama will host the Commander-in-Chief’s inaugural ball to honor the country’s active duty and reserve military. Additional invited guests include wounded warriors (Purple Heart recipients), families of fallen heroes, and spouses of deployed military. Tickets to the ball, which will be held at the National Building Museum, have been provided free of charge to all invited guests. This event is not open to the general public.
Where:
National Building Museum
401 F Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
When:
Doors Open – 5:30 PM
Program Begins – 7:00 PM
Who:
President Barack Obama
First Lady Michelle Obama
Vice President Joe Biden
Dr. Jill Biden
Performances:
Jon Bon Jovi will headline the talent lineup for the ball, which will be held on Tuesday, January 20th, at the National Building Museum. George Lopez will emcee the event, which also feature performances and appearances by Jordin Sparks, Miss America 2009 Kirsten Haglund, and Right On. The event is also co-hosted by the Senior Enlisted Advisors of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.
The Youth Ball
The Youth ball is intended for young Americans aged 18–35 and will celebrate the inauguration of the new president and the role young Americans can play to serve their communities. Tickets for this event were made available through the PIC for a reduced price of $75 .
Where:
Hilton Washington
1919 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20009
When:
Doors Open – 7:00 PM
Program Begins – 9:00 PM
Who:
President Barack Obama
First Lady Michelle Obama
Vice President Joseph Biden
Dr. Jill Biden
Performances:
TBA
President Obama Home States Ball
On Tuesday night there will be two Home States Balls, celebrating President Obama’s home states of Hawaii and Illinois, and Vice President Biden’s home states of Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Tickets are required for the Home States Balls. Tickets are $150 and were distributed by the PIC.
States affiliated: Hawaii & Illinois
Where:
Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Hall E
801 Mount Vernon Place NW
Washington, DC 20001
When:
Doors Open – 5:00 PM
Program Begins – 7:00 PM
Who:
President Barack Obama
First Lady Michelle Obama
Vice President Joe Biden
Dr. Jill Biden
Performances:
Common, Jack Johnson and Don Cagen Orchestra
Vice President Biden Home States Ball
States affiliated: Delaware & Pennsylvania
Where:
Walter E. Washington Convention Center,
Ballrooms A,B,C
801 Mt. Vernon Place NW
Washington, DC 20001
When:
Doors Open – 6:00 PM
Program Begins – 8:00 PM
vWho:
President Barack Obama
First Lady Michelle Obama
Vice President Joe Biden
Dr. Jill Biden
Performances:
Maroon 5 and James Gerard Orchestra
The Eastern Ball
Along with the Commander-in-Chief’s Ball, the Neighborhood Ball, the Youth Ball, and the Home State Balls, there will be five regional balls: the Western Ball, the Midwestern Ball, the Eastern Ball, the Mid-Atlantic Ball, and the Southern Ball. These balls celebrate each state’s contribution to our great union, and allow Americans from across the country to join together on this historic night.
A ticket is required to attend a regional ball. Tickets are $150 and were distributed by the PIC.
States affiliated: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, United States Virgin Islands, Vermont
Where:
Union Station
50 Massachusetts Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20002
When:
Doors Open – 8:00 PM
Event Begins – 10:00 PM
Who:
President Barack Obama
First Lady Michelle Obama
Vice President Joseph Biden
Dr. Jill Biden
Performances:
James Taylor and Liquid Pleasure with Kenny Mann
The Mid-Atlantic Ball
States affiliated: Democrats Abroad, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, DC, West Virginia
Where:
Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Hall A
801 Mt. Vernon Place NW
Washington, DC 20001
When:
Doors Open – 6:00 PM
Program Begins – 8:00 PM
Who:
President Barack Obama
First Lady Michelle Obama
Vice President Joe Biden
Dr. Jill Biden
Performances:
The Dead and DJ Cassidy
vContact:
Media Logistics: Jeff Tiller
Spokesperson: Please contact the PIC Communications Office.
The Midwestern Ball
States affiliated: Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
Where:
Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Hall C
801 Mount Vernon Place NW
Washington, DC 20001
When:
Doors Open – 6:00 PM
Program Begins – 8:00 PM
Who:
President Barack Obama
First Lady Michelle Obama
Vice President Joe Biden
Dr. Jill Biden
Performances:
Sheryl Crow and Fabulous Motown Revue
The Southern Ball
States affiliated: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas
Where:
DC Armory
2001 E Capitol Street SE
Washington, DC 20003
When:
Doors Open – 6:00 PM
Program Begins – 7:00 PM
Who:
President Barack Obama
First Lady Michelle Obama
Vice President Biden
Dr. Jill Biden
Performances:
The Derek Trucks Band with Susan Tedeschi and Wil Gravatt Band
The Western Ball
States affiliated: Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Where:
Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Hall B
801 Mount Vernon Place NW
Washington, DC 20001
When:
Doors Open – 6:00 PM
Program Begins – 8:00 PM
Who:
President Barack Obama
First Lady Michelle Obama
Vice President Joe Biden
Dr. Jill Biden
Performances:
Marc Anthony and Party on the Moon
