The Second Inauguration of a Black Man as President of The USA
Barack Obama takes the oath of office in 2009. Photograph: Jae C Hong/AP
In some ways, this will be an austerity inauguration. There will be three days of festivities, instead of the four that were held in 2009. There will be two official balls, instead of 10 in 2009. And 800,000 people are expected to line Pennsylvania Avenue, where 1.8 million turned out in 2009.
But those are still pretty impressive numbers. And despite rightwing media crowing that the attendance for Obama has dropped, the 800,000 expected to attend his swearing in on Monday will be more than the number who attended both of George W Bush's inaugurations combined.
Here, then, is your guide to the three-day extravaganza that will beBarack Obama's second presidential inauguration.
Saturday
Barack Obama's National Day of Service Summit will 'honor the life and legacy of Dr Martin Luther King Jr'. Photograph: AP
The official event of the day is a National Day of Service Summit on the National Mall. According to the presidential inauguration committee, the first and second families will "issue a call to action for all Americans to join together in service to honor the life and legacy of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr".
Basically, all Americans are encouraged to take part in some kind of public service on Saturday, in a tradition started by the Obamas four years ago. The "service summit" is part of that, with the president and vice-president's families participating in some kind of do-goodery in DC.The summit will be led by Chelsea Clinton.
In the evening, a Kid's Inaugural Concert will take place at the Washington Convention Center. Hosted by Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, the concert is "part of their ongoing commitment to military families". Katy Perry, Stevie Wonder and Usher are among the performers. It's invite only.
Unofficial events include the Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball, hosted by the Texas State Society, at which there will be Texan food and drinks, and the National Association of Minority Government Contractors Inaugural Gala – the most specific of the unofficial or official balls.
Sunday
President Obama actually gets re-inaugurated. Monday's events aren'texactly a con, but the swearing in will be purely ceremonial. The actual swearing in – which has to be done on Sunday, or the US would have a day without anyone officially in charge – will take place in the White House's Blue Room at 11.55am ET.
As the presidential inauguration committee puts it:
Historically, Inaugural Ceremonies are not held on a Sunday because Courts and other public institutions are not open. This year, in accordance with the requirements of the United States Constitution, President Obama and Vice President Biden will officially be sworn-in on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
There are no official evening events.
Unofficial events include the Latino Inaugural Ball, which will be hoasted by a coalition of Latino groups – but you don't get to meet the president. The Rhythm and Blues Reloaded Inaugural Ball is down to run til 3am.
Monday
Barack Obama takes the oath of office in January 2009. Photograph: Chuck Kennedy/AP
The day of the fake inauguration. The sham begins at 11.30am ET at Capitol Hill. Obama will take the oath of office using two bibles, the one used by President Lincoln at his first inauguration – which was used in 2009 – and a "travelling bible" used by Dr Martin Luther King.
King's children said in a statement:
We know our father would be deeply moved to see President Obama take the Oath of Office using his bible. [The] 'traveling bible' inspired him as he fought for freedom, justice and equality, and we hope it can be a source of strength for the President as he begins his second term.
Biden will use his family bible, which according to the presidential inauguration committee is "five inches thick" and "has a Celtic cross on the cover". It has been in the Biden family since 1893.
Music at the ceremony will be provided by the US Marine Band and Lee University choir from Cleveland, Tennessee, and by James Taylor, Kelly Clarkson and Beyonce – who will sing the national anthem.
Once all that is over, and all parties have had lunch, the inauguration parade will begin at around 2.35pm ET. Viewing stands and bleachers are lined along Pennsylvania Avenue for spectators, and the Obamas and Bidens will be out with the parade, which will feature participants, floats and vehicles representing more than 58 groups.
The first of the two official balls starts at 6pm – the Commander in Chief's Inaugural Ball. The ball, at the Washington Convention Center, is specifically for America's servicemen and women and their families, following a tradition started by George W Bush in 2005. Active and reserve military members will attend, along with some wounded warriors. Troops "from around the world" will "join the celebration virtually", according to the presidential inauguration committee, which gives no details on how this might happen.
The second ball, called simply, the Inaugural Ball, begins at 7pm. Any hopes regular folks had of getting tickets have already been crushed by Ticketmaster. The presidential inauguration committee doesn't give much away in terms of detail, simply describing the ball as a "unified celebration for all Americans".
Unofficial events on Monday include Churchkey's Inaugural Brewers Ball, "a celebration of American craft beer". You get to mingle with brewers. Tickets $150. Monday also sees the Global Peace Inaugural Ball "support global peace initiatives and partnerships and alliances while celebrating our newly elected President of the United States of America". And while spending $250 on your ticket.
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