PHOTOS: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris's inauguration
Yahoo News Photo Staff
On Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States. His running mate, Kamala Harris, was sworn in as the 49th vice president, and is the first woman, first African American and first Asian American to hold the office.
The inauguration was held at the U.S. Capitol, which just two weeks earlier was the scene of an insurrection by militant supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump. The riot left five dead, including Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick.
U.S. President-elect Joe Biden and Jill Biden arrive at his Biden's inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
In response to security concerns, thousands of armed National Guardsmen were stationed in Washington, D.C. And due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, only around 1,000 supporters and well-wishers were in the crowd.
In a break with tradition, Trump was not in attendance to see his successor sworn in, having instead left for his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida earlier in the morning. The last three presidents, however, were there, including Biden’s former running mate, President Barack Obama.
Harris was sworn in on two Bibles, one belonging to her friend Regina Shelton, the other having been owned by Thurgood Marshall, the first Black Supreme Court justice. Biden, meanwhile, was sworn in on a Bible that has been in his family for the last 127 years. It was the same Bible his late son Beau Biden used when he was sworn in as Delaware’s attorney general.
"Today we celebrate the triumph, not of a candidate, but of a cause, the cause of democracy,” Biden said in his inauguration speech after being sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. “The people, the will of the people, has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded."
Here’s a look at the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris through the lenses of photographers who were there.
President Donald Trump boards Marine One as he departs the White House on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Eric Thayer/Getty Images)
The "Field of flags" is seen on the National Mall in front of the U.S. Capitol building ahead of inauguration ceremonies for President-elect Joe Biden. (Allison Shelley/Reuters)
(L-R) Doug Emhoff, U.S. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, Jill Biden, President-elect Joe Biden, U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) walk into the U.S. Capitol. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Former US President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton are seen before US president-elect Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th US President. (Jonathan Ernst/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Former U.S. President Barack Obama and wife Michelle Obama arrive before the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States. (Jonathan Ernst/Pool/Reuters)
U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, left, greets former U.S. President Barack Obama, right, with a fist bump during the 59th presidential inauguration. (Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Guests attend the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. (Kevin Lamarque/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. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)
Jennifer Lopez performs during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters)
Kamala Harris is sworn in as U.S. Vice President as her spouse Doug Emhoff holds a bible during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)
Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Jill Biden holds the Bible during the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (Andrew Harnik, Pool/AP Photo)
Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden kiss after he was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)
Joe Biden is sworn in during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States. (Jim Bourg/Reuters)
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers his inaugural address on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers his inaugural address on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Amanda Gorman recites a poem during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)
