Out with the red and in with the blue. America started the new year off with a new president and vice president. On January 20th, 2021, public officials and friends and family of the elected went to The United States capitol to attend the inauguration for President Biden and Vice President Harris. Both of which were the “first” in many situations. Kamala Harris is the first Indian-African American woman Vice president, and Joe Biden is now officially the oldest president in US history.
Amazing speakers gave speeches on this historic day. Amanda Gorman, the nation’s first-ever youth poet laureate, read a poem called “The Hill we climb” it spoke upon the subjects of changes in America and the up and down battles of many difficulties as a minority in America. It also spoke on the light that comes in the form of Hope. She encouraged and inspired many American citizens to take charge and fight for what really matters. She blew people away with her words and amazing poetry. She went from 30 thousand followers on Instagram to 3.1 million in one day.
Chief Justice John Roberts swore in President Joe Biden and Chief Justice Sonia Sotomayor swore in Vice president Kamala harris. Sonia Sotomayor is also the first Hispanic and Latina member of the Supreme Court.
President Biden also gave his inaugural address and although he spoke on many worries, he simply gave US citizens an assurance of hope. He spoke of our democracy prevailing and how he will make an effort on uniting the politically divided America. He also added that the need for climate change solutions are needed and shortly after, he rejoined the Paris Peace Treaty. President Biden spoke of racial injustice and sexism in the country and problems beyond the US. Predictably, he talked about the Covid crisis and the vaccine rollout.
There were many amazing performers that made an appearance. Lady Gaga came out in a show-stopping dress and was honored to meet both President Biden and Vice President Harris. She sang The National Anthem and Jennifer Lopez sang “This Land is Your Land.”
Although Donald Trump didn’t attend the event, Mike Pence went with his wife Karen Pence. Former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama attended and showed their support with families near. They all thought that it was important to come to such a historic day and show a sense of unity to the American people, especially since former President Bush is a republican, it showed that both sides can join together and express support for different leaders and political parties.
The walk to the White House was a small but meaningful event. Both President Biden’s family and Vice President Harris’s families were there and all waved and smiled to people and reporters on the sidelines. The President and his Grandchildren all wearing masks, ran out to take pictures and fist bump the supporters on the way to be welcomed as the President’s family, and wife Jill Biden lead side by side with her husband giving smiles all around. While The Vice President wasn’t too far behind came with her family to wave and give people hope in these times of change.