Opening Ceremony and Welcome

• Sen. Amy Klobuchar welcomes attendees to 59th presidential inauguration
• Acknowledges VP Pence, president-elect, VP-elect, Congress, judicial branch, former presidents, international leaders
• References January 6th insurrection two weeks prior as awakening to American responsibilities
• Ceremony represents culmination of 244 years of democracy
• Capitol dome symbolism: Lincoln finished construction during Civil War as sign "union shall go on"

Congressional Leadership Remarks

• Sen. Roy Blunt (Missouri) chairs inaugural committee
• Theme: "determined democracy forging a more perfect union"
• Constitution's first three words "We the People" establish government source
• Founders said "more perfect union" not "perfect union" - acknowledging need for continuous improvement
• January 6th assault reminder that government is both fragile and resilient
• Pandemic challenged society, requiring extraordinary determination from healthcare workers, scientists, first responders

Religious Invocation

• Father Leo O'Donovan leads invocation
• References Archbishop John Carroll's 1789 prayer for Washington's inauguration (232 years ago)
• Prayer for wisdom like Solomon sought - "understanding heart to govern people and know difference between right and wrong"
• Pope Francis quote on dreaming together vs. seeing mirages alone
• Petition for reconciliation, peace, justice under new president

National Anthem and Pledge

• Armed Forces Color Guard presents national colors
• Lady Gaga performs national anthem accompanied by President's Own United States Marine Band
• Fire Captain Andrea M. Hall (South Fulton Georgia, Local 3920) leads Pledge of Allegiance

Vice Presidential Oath

• Justice Sonia Sotomayor (first Latina Supreme Court Justice) administers oath
• Kamala Harris sworn as first African-American, first Asian-American, first woman VP
• Historic moment emphasizing representation and possibility for children worldwide

Musical Performance

• Jennifer Lopez performs "This Land is Your Land" and "America the Beautiful"
• Accompanied by President's Own United States Marine Band

Presidential Oath

• Chief Justice John Roberts administers oath to Joseph R. Biden Jr.
• Biden becomes 46th President of United States
• Sen. Blunt introduces Biden as first person to officially present new president

Presidential Inaugural Address

• Opening themes: Democracy's day, history and hope, renewal and resolve
• Unity emphasis: "Democracy has prevailed" despite recent challenges
• Acknowledgments: Thanks predecessors of both parties, President Carter (spoke by phone, couldn't attend)
• Current challenges identified:
  • Once-in-century virus: as many deaths in one year as all of WWII
  • Millions of jobs lost, hundreds of thousands of businesses closed
  • Racial justice cry 400 years in making
  • Climate crisis - "cry for survival from planet itself"
  • Political extremism, white supremacy, domestic terrorism

Core Message on Unity

• Most elusive thing in democracy is unity
• Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation reference: "my whole soul is in it"
• Biden: "my whole soul is in bringing America together"
• Unity enables: right wrongs, create good jobs, safe schools, overcome virus, rebuild middle class, deliver racial justice
• Forces that divide are deep and real but not new
• Constant struggle between ideal (all created equal) and reality (racism, nativism, fear)

Path Forward

• See each other as neighbors, not adversaries
• Treat with dignity and respect
• Join forces, stop shouting, lower temperature
• Without unity: only bitterness, fury, exhausting outrage, chaos
• Politics doesn't have to be "raging fire destroying everything"
• Reject culture where facts are manipulated and manufactured

Historical Context and Symbolism

• Capitol dome completed during Civil War when "union literally hanging in balance"
• Great Mall where Dr. King spoke of his dream
• 108 years ago protesters tried to block women marching for voting rights
• Today marks first woman VP in American history
• Arlington Cemetery across Potomac where heroes rest
• Recent riotous mob attempt to silence democracy "did not happen, will never happen"

Commitments and Promises

• "I will be president for all Americans"
• Fight as hard for those who didn't support as those who did
• Common objects of American love: opportunity, security, liberty, dignity, respect, honor, truth
• Defend truth and defeat lies
• Understanding of Americans' fears: jobs, healthcare, mortgages, families

Call to Action

• End "uncivil war" - red vs blue, rural vs urban, conservative vs liberal
• Open souls instead of hardening hearts
• Show tolerance and humility
• Stand in others' shoes
• Some days need hand, other days called to lend hand

Global Leadership

• Repair alliances, engage with world again
• Meet today's and tomorrow's challenges, not yesterday's
• Lead not merely by example of power but by power of example
• Strong and trusted partner for peace, progress, security

Moment of Remembrance

• Silent prayer for 400,000 pandemic victims
• "Moms, dads, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, friends, neighbors, co-workers"
• Honor them by becoming people and nation we can be

Final Challenges and Vision

• Time of testing: attack on democracy, untruth, raging virus, growing inequity, systemic racism, climate crisis, America's world role
• All challenges faced simultaneously - "one of gravest responsibilities we've had"
• Time for boldness
• Will be judged by how we resolve cascading crises

American Anthem Reference

• Song verse: "The work and prayers of century have brought us to this day / What shall be our legacy, what will our children say / Let me know in my heart when my days are through / America, America, I gave my best to you"

Closing Commitments

• Sacred oath before God and all Americans
• Always level with you
• Defend Constitution and democracy
• Serve thinking of possibilities not power, public good not personal interest
• Write American story of: hope not fear, unity not division, light not darkness, decency and dignity, love and healing, greatness and goodness
• Democracy and hope, truth and justice will not die but thrive
• America will secure liberty at home and be beacon to world

Closing Performances and Benediction

• Garth Brooks performs "Amazing Grace" - asks audience to sing final verse "as one United"
• Amanda Gorman (first National Poet Laureate) recites "The Hill We Climb"
  • Themes: finding light in shade, nation "not broken but simply unfinished"
  • "Skinny black girl descended from slaves and raised by single mother can dream of becoming president"
  • "Democracy can be periodically delayed but never permanently defeated"
  • "We will not march back to what was but move to what shall be"
• Rev. Dr. Sylvester Beeman (Bethel AME Church, Wilmington DE) gives benediction
  • Prayer for divine favor on President Biden, Dr. Jill Biden, VP Harris, Doug Emhoff
  • Emphasis on common humanity, healing wounded, caring for vulnerable
  • "Make friends of our enemies"
  • Acknowledgment of all Americans from indigenous to newest citizens

Ceremony Conclusion

• Armed Forces Color Guard retires national colors
• Playing of "The Stars and Stripes Forever"
• Organized departure with safety protocols