Who was the first new president to …?
19 Jan, 2021 08:18 PM
8 minutes to read
Preparations being made at the Capitol in anticipation of Joseph R. Biden Jr. s inauguration. Photo / Chang W. Lee, The New York Times
Preparations being made at the Capitol in anticipation of Joseph R. Biden Jr. s inauguration. Photo / Chang W. Lee, The New York Times
New York Times
The inauguration has evolved a bit from George Washington s day.
The basics of the inauguration are simple: The new president takes a 35-word oath on a date prescribed by the Constitution. But the formula has left plenty of room for novelty. As inaugurations evolved over the decades, many became turning points in tradition, marked by mishaps, innovation and spontaneous gestures.
Title: Victor Trammell for Your Black World News | Photo credits: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Amanda Gorman (pictured), an award-winning Black female writer, is slated to become the youngest inaugural poet when she recites her work at President-elect
Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 20, 2021.
But this is not the first time the talented 22-year-old has broken barriers.
In 2014, Gorman became the first Youth Poet Laureate of Los Angeles, California. Three years later, she was named the nation’s first National Youth Poet Laureate. Democratic presidents have traditionally celebrated poets by having them read an original piece at inauguration ceremonies, according to the
Firefighter
Amanda Gorman, the first National Youth Poet Laureate, will recite a poem.
Father Leo O Donovan and Reverend Dr. Silvester Beaman, longtime friends of the Bidens, will deliver an invocation and benediction, respectively, per
Variety.
More performers will be announced as the inauguration approaches. The Presidential Inaugural Committee assures that, even though the event will be pared down for health and safety reasons, the programming will feature musical acts, local bands, poets, dance troupes, and more paying homage to America s heroes on the frontlines of the pandemic.
Celebrating America
Everyone s favorite guy, Tom Hanks, will host a prime-time special called
The committee said Miranda will “recite a classic work during the program.”
Newly announced participants also include philanthropist and José Andrés and Kim Ng, the first female Major League Baseball general manager. Other well-known performers who are expected to appear are musicians Bruce Springsteen, John Legend and the Foo Fighters.
ADVERTISEMENT
The special, titled “Celebrating America,” is set to air on all major cable and news channel as well as Biden s inauguration website beginning at 8:30 p.m.
Previously announced performers include Justin Timberlake, Tom Hanks and Demi Lovato.
Inauguration events will be significantly more subdued than in previous years due to the pandemic as well as heightened security in response to the violent Capitol breach earlier this month. The inaugural ball that normally takes place will not take place, for example.
After receiving a record 81 million votes, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Kamala D. Harris will make history for the Democratic Party and the nation, when they’re sworn in as President and Vice President, respectively, of the United States of America.
Biden, 78, will become the nation’s 46th Commander in Chief after serving as vice president in the Obama Administration and nearly four decades in the U.S. Senate. Harris, 56, the former Attorney General of California turned U.S. Senator, will shatter new barriers as the first woman and first Black and Southeast Asian American to serve as Vice President.