Today, the 57th U.S. Presidential Inauguration took place in Washington, D.C. Hundreds of thousands attended the public swearing in of President Barack Obama for his second term, and more attended the Inaugural Parade and dozens of related parties, balls, and concerts around the area. Photos below cover the entire event, from the long preparation, through the ceremony, to the Inaugural Balls.
The 2nd Inauguration of Barack Obama in Photos
-
The sun rises over Capitol Hill looking down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, early on Monday, January 21, 2013, as Washington prepares for the 57th Presidential Inaugural and the ceremonial swearing-in of President Barack Obama's second term. #
AP Photo/Alex Brandon -
-
A model of the White House sits on a giant map during a media tour highlighting inaugural preparations being made by the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region for military and civilian planners, on December 12, 2012, at the DC Armory in Washington. #
AP Photo/ Evan Vucci -
John Osler of Detroit, carries his artwork for sale, as he walks on the National Mall on January 20, 2013, with the U.S. Capitol prepared for ceremonial swearing-in of President Barack Obama, the 57th Presidential Inaugural. #
AP Photo/Alex Brandon -
Workers from M.C. Dean Company remove the street lights along Pennsylvania Ave as they prepare for the Inauguration Parade, on January 20, 2013 in Washington, District of Columbia, #
Joe Raedle/Getty Images -
-
The image of President Barack Obama, printed on the shirt of Victoria Wimberley, who will be attending the President's inauguration for the second time, as she stands in the kitchen of her home in Decatur, Georgia, on January 2, 2013. Four years and one re-election after his historic oath-taking as America's first black president, some of the thrill for Barack Obama is gone. Wimberley brought four busloads of people to Washington for the 2009 inauguration. She's coming again this month, though with two fewer buses, which she blamed on the high price for accommodations, not any lack of excitement for Obama. #
AP Photo/David Goldman -
Steve LaDrew, with Capitol Exhibit Services, adjusts the Mastcam on a replica of the Mars Curiosity Rover at Joint Base Anacostia Bolling (JBAB) in Washington, on January 19, 2013. The NASA float will participate in the Inaugural Parade honoring President Barack Obama. #
Reuters/NASA/Paul E. Alers/Handout -
During a dress rehearsal at the U.S. Capitol, U.S. Army Military District of Washington Major General Michael Linnington (center), Commander of the Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region, is flanked by actors portraying U.S. President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden as they arrive to review troops, on January 13, 2013. #
Reuters/Mike Theiler -
-
Washington, District of Columbia, and the surrounding area, as seen by astronauts on board the International Space Station on on January 20, 2013, one day before the public Inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama. This detailed view shows the Potomac River and its bridges at left, with National Mall at the center, stretching eastward from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument toward the Capitol building, where the inaugural ceremony will be held. #
Reuters/NASA -
Vice President Joe Biden, left, places his hand on the Biden Family Bible held by his wife Jill Biden, center, as he takes the oath of office from Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, right, during and official ceremony at the Naval Observatory, on January 20, 2013. Biden will be sworn in again on Monday, during the public ceremony. #
AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster -
Press pool cameramen sit in the doorway to the Red Room before President Barack Obama is sworn into his second term in the Blue Room at the White House in Washington, District of Columbia, on January 20, 2013. #
AP Photo/Charles Dharapak -
-
President Barack Obama is officially sworn-in by Chief Justice John Roberts in the Blue Room of the White House during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Sunday, January 20, 2013. Next to Obama are first lady Michelle Obama, holding the Robinson Family Bible, and daughters Malia and Sasha. Obama will be sworn in again on Monday, during the public ceremony. #
AP Photo/Larry Downing -
President Barack Obama arrives back at the White House with First Lady Michelle Obama (center) and Michelle Obama's mother Marian Robinson, on January 21, 2013, after attending service at St. John's Episcopal Church. #
Reuters/Chris Kleponis -
-
President Barack Obama (center) pauses with his escorts before walking through the Lower West Terrace Door of the U.S. Capitol to begin his swearing-in ceremony, on January 21, 2013. #
Jonathan Ernst/Getty Images -
-
President Barack Obama takes the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts at the ceremonial swearing-in, in Washington, District of Columbia, on January 21, 2013. #
AP Photo/Scott Andrews -
President Barack Obama is sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts as First lady Michelle Obama and daughters, Sasha Obama and Malia Obama look on during the public ceremonial inauguration, on January 21, 2013. #
Rob Carr/Getty Images -
-
Performer Beyonce sings the U.S. National Anthem as President Barack Obama and Senator Charles Schumer listen during swearing-in ceremonies on the West front of the U.S. Capitol, on January 21, 2013. #
Reuters/Jim Bourg -
President Obama is surrounded by (L-R) Senate Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid, Sen. Lamar Alexander, Sen. Chuck Schumer, Vice President Joe Biden, House Speaker Rep. John Boehner, House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor, and House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi, while signing a proclamation to commemorate the inauguration, entitled a National Day of Hope and Resolve, directly after swearing-in ceremonies in the U.S Capitol on January 21, 2013. #
Jonathan Ernst/Getty Images -
-
President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama attend the Inaugural Luncheon in Statuary Hall after his ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol, on January 21, 2013. #
Reuters/Benjamin Myers -
President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama walk down Constitution Avenue after emerging from the presidential limousine during the inaugural parade, on January 21, 2013. #
Reuters/Jason Reed -
-
Vice President Joe Biden walks down Pennsylvania Avenue en route to the White House, on January 21, 2013, in Washington. Thousands marched during the 57th Presidential Inauguration parade after the ceremonial swearing-in of President Obama. #
AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster -
Army Major General Michael Linnington, Joint Forces Headquarters, National Capitol Region, center, leads President Barack Obama and first lady Michele Obama, and Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden, to their positions to review the troops following the 57th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol, on January 21, 2013. #
AP Photo/Cliff Owen -
-
-
-
Attendees photograph President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as they dance while attending the Commander-in-Chief Ball at the Washington Convention Center, on January 21, 2013. #
Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.