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January 20, 2021 - Inauguration Day

Join PBS NewsHour with live coverage of Inauguration Day 2021 on PBS stations nationwide beginning at 10:30 am ET on Wednesday, January 20, 2021.

What is the Inauguration Day schedule?

  1. 11 a.m. – Joe Biden arrives at the U.S. Capitol.

  2. 11:15 a.m. – The inauguration program begins.

  3. Invocation – Father Leo J. O’Donovan

  4. Pledge of Allegiance – Andrea Hall

  5. National Anthem – Lady Gaga

  6. Poetry Reading – Amanda Gorman

  7. Musical Performance – Jennifer Lopez

  8. 12 p.m. – Biden is sworn in as 46th president.

  9. 2:30 to 3p.m. – Biden lays a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff, President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, President George W. Bush and Laura Bush and President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton.

  10. 3:15 to 3:30 p.m. – Joe and Jill Biden receive presidential military escort to the White House.

  11. TBD – The virtual “Parade Across America” begins once the Bidens enter the White House and will feature communities around the country.

  12. 8:30 p.m. – Actor Tom Hanks hosts a 90-minute special featuring remarks by Biden and Harris and performances by Demi Lovato, Justin Timberlake, Ant Clemons, Jon Bon Jovi and others.

Celebrating America and remembering COVID-19 victims

Leading up to Inauguration Day, the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) will host other events. On Monday at 6:30 p.m. EST, a “field of flags” art exhibit on the National Mall will illuminate 56 light pillars and display 200,000 flags representing the U.S. states and territories.

“The ‘Field of Flags’ represents the American people who are unable to travel to Washington and reflect the PIC’s commitment to an inclusive and safe event that everyone can enjoy from their home,” a committee press release read.

On Tuesday, Jan. 19, PIC will host another lighting ceremony to honor the nearly 400,000 people who have died from COVID-19. Lighting will take place around the Lincoln Memorial in D.C., and in cities and landmarks around the country, like the Empire State Building in New York City, according to the inaugural committee.

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