Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States, and Kamala Harris has become the first female, first Black and first Asian American vice president. Here's a review of the historic moment in pictures.
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Joe and Jill Biden arrive for the presidential inauguration. Due to the coronavirus epidemic and security concerns, the ceremony has been scaled down.Image: Jim Bourg/REUTERS
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Joe Biden is sworn in as president by Chief Justice John Roberts. His wife Jill held the Bible. At 78, Biden is the oldest president to take the oath of office.Image: Alex Wong/Getty Images"Politics doesn't have to be a raging fire destroying everything in its path," Biden said in his speech. He called on the nation to unite: "We have to be different than this. America has to be better than this."Image: Rob Carr/Getty ImagesKamala Harris is sworn in as vice president by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor as her husband, Doug Emhoff, holds the Bible. She is the first woman, first Black and first Asian American vice president of the United States.Image: Saul Loeb/AP Photo/picture alliance Kamala Harris bumps fists with Joe Biden after being sworn in as vice-president.Image: Jonathan Ernst/REUTERSJoe Biden holds his inaugural address on January 20, 2021, on the front steps of the US Capitol. Just two weeks earlier this had been the scene of violent protests.Image: Patrick Semansky/REUTERSLady Gaga performed the National Anthem during the star-studded inauguration ceremony.Image: Saul Loeb/REUTERSJennifer Lopez sang "This Land is Your Land" and "America the Beautifu" at Joe Biden's inauguration.Image: Brendan McDermid/REUTERSAmanda Gorman, the first-ever youth poet laureate, read her poem "The Hill We Climb" during the inaguration. The 22-year-old called on Americans to "leave behind a country better than the one we left." Image: Patrick Semansky/REUTERSThis inauguration was like none before. Following strict coronavirus guidelines, guests were spaced far apart, wore masks and avoided the usual handshaking. Image: Kevin Lamarque/REUTERSA young American celebrates after the inauguration on Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, DC.Image: Eduardo Munoz/REUTERSDonald Trump breaks with tradition by refusing to attend his successor's inauguration. Trump departed in a government helicopter from the White House lawn early Wednesday morning.Image: Alex Brandon/AP/picture alliance
