American President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ inauguration on Thursday, January 21 (January 20 in the US) saw a return to the usual star power of the anticipated event.
Biden, who promised to lead the US towards unity and healing, was sworn in during a ceremony that featured the country’s biggest stars from different ethnicities and political affiliations.
Lady Gaga, who also performed during Biden’s final campaign event in 2020, sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” in an unforgettable Schiaparelli couture creation.
Lady Gaga arrives to sing the National Anthem during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington January 20, 2021. Photo by Patrick Semansky/Reuters
Lady Gaga arrives to sing the National Anthem during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington January 20, 2021. Patrick Semansky/Pool via REUTERS
Lady Gaga sings the National Anthem during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021.Lady Gaga sings the National Anthem during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021.
REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama embraces Lady Gaga during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021.Lady Gaga with former U.S President Barack Obama during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021.Lady Gaga sings the National Anthem during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021.
Tasos Katopodis/Pool via REUTERS
After Harris took her oath as the first female, Black, and South Asian Vice President, pop giant Jennifer Lopez took her turn on stage. She sang a medley of “This Land is Your Land” and “America the Beautiful,” and ended the performance with singing a line from “Let’s Get Loud” and reciting the last line of the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish.
Jennifer Lopez performs during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021.
REUTERS/Brendan Mcdermid
Jennifer Lopez greets Lady Gaga after performing during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021. Jennifer Lopez performs during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021.
Country singer Garth Brooks sang “Amazing Grace” a cappella, ending his performance by asking the audience – at the Capitol and at home – to sing with him.
Garth Brooks performs during the 59th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021.U.S. President Joe Biden shakes hands with singer Garth Brooks after Brooks performed during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021.Singer Garth Brooks greets former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021.
Amanda Gorman, who at 22 is the youngest inaugural poet in American history, read “The Hill We Climb,” a poem she wrote for Biden and Harris’ swearing-in ceremony.
The National Youth Poet Laureate spoke of hope, unity, and opportunity, while also acknowledging efforts to “delay” democracy, is a stirring piece that perfectly captured the mood of the inauguration.
Amanda Gorman recites a poem during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021.
REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Amanda Gorman recites a poem during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021.Poet Amanda Gorman reads a poem during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington January 20, 2021.U.S. President Joe Biden applauds after Amanda Gorman recited a poem during his inauguration as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021.
