President Barack Obama – Inauguration 2013

The January 21 presidential inauguration ceremony publicly ushers in the second term of United States President Barack Obama.

Peacemaker Staff Reports

The 2013 Presidential Inauguration of Barack Hussein Obama, 44th President of the United States will take place on Monday, January 21. This will be the 57th Presidential Inauguration ceremony. This date also marks the federal holiday honoring slain civil rights activist Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., celebrated on the third Monday in January. The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies acknowledged that this is the second time the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday has coincided with a presidential inauguration. The first was President Bill Clinton’s second inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20, 1997.

The law designating the third Monday in January as a federal holiday honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was signed into law by President Reagan in 1983. President Reagan’s 1985 inauguration fell on the third Monday of January, but the new federal holiday did not become official until 1986. The Joint Congressional Committee also shared “this is the seventh time in U.S. history that the constitutionally mandated inauguration date has fallen on a Sunday. As is tradition, the winner of the November election will be sworn in privately at noon on Jan. 20, with the public ceremonies on Monday, Jan. 21.”

This presidential inauguration ceremony publicly ushers in the second term of President Barack Obama. Inaugural festivities will include the Presidential Swearing-in Ceremony, Inaugural Address, Inaugural Parade and numerous inaugural balls and galas. The official theme for the 2013 inauguration is “Faith in America’s Future,” commemorating the United States’ perseverance and unity. These festivities will also acknowledge the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the anniversary of placement of the Statue of Freedom atop the Capitol Dome in 1863.

More than 1.8 million people attended the 2009 Presidential Inauguration of President Obama, breaking attendance records for any event in the nation’s capital. The 2013 inaugural events are expected to draw large crowds to Washington, D.C. If you plan to attend, here is a list of activities and events to enjoy during the inauguration weekend.

Presidential Inauguration Activities

Information Courtesy The Presidential Inaugural Committee

Saturday, January 19 – National Day of Service. President Obama will ask Americans across the country to organize and participate in service projects in their communities to honor our shared values and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. President Obama, Vice President Biden and their families will participate in service projects in the Washington, DC area.

Sunday, January 20 – President Barack Obama will participate in a small private swearing-in ceremony.

Monday, January 21 –
Inauguration Day

• Swearing-in Ceremony
The widow of slain civil rights activist Medgar Evers will deliver the invocation at President Barack Obama’s second inauguration on Jan. 21. Myrlie Evers-Williams will deliver the prayer. It comes 50 years after her husband was gunned down in the driveway of his Mississippi home. The inauguration falls on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Evers-Williams is a distinguished scholar at Alcorn State University in Lorman, Miss. She was chairwoman of the NAACP from 1995 to 1998.
In a statement, Obama says Evers-Williams represents ideals of justice, equality and opportunity that he pursues.

• Oath of Office will be administered on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC by Chief Justice John Roberts to Pres. Obama. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor will administer the oath to Vice President Joe Biden. Following the oath of office, President Obama will give his inaugural address, setting out his vision for America and goals for the nation.

The president has chosen to use two Bibles during his swearing-in – one owned by Martin Luther King Jr. and the other by Abraham Lincoln. He used the Lincoln Bible while taking the oath four years ago. Obama is adding King’s Bible for an inaugural ceremony because it will take place on Jan. 21, the federal holiday honoring the civil rights leader.
Tickets are not required to watch the swearing-in ceremony on giant screens placed along the National Mall.

Inaugural Parade –
2:30 p.m.
Location: Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC. Viewing stands and bleachers will extend from 3rd Street to 17th Street and tickets are not required.

The Presidential Inaugural Parade includes members from all branches of the armed forces of the United States. Since 1789, the U.S. armed forces have participated in this American tradition honoring the commander in chief. During the 10-day inaugural period from January 15 to January 24, armed forces personnel will provide ceremonial support with musical units, marching bands & color guards.

Did you know?
The first organized parade occurred at the inauguration of James Madison in 1809. But the tradition dates back to the country’s first inauguration of a president, George Washington, in 1789.
During Abraham Lincoln’s second inauguration in 1865, African Americans marched in the parade for the first time. Woodrow Wilson’s second inauguration in 1917 saw women, for the first time, take part in the inaugural parade. Obama’s first parade included the Lesbian and Gay Band Association. The association was the first lesbian and gay group in history to participate in a president’s inaugural parade.

Inaugural Balls

There will be several Inaugural Balls held in Washington, D.C. According to the Presidential Inaugural Committee, only two of these events are official Inaugural Balls. First is The Commander-in-Chief’s Ball, which is open to select members of the U.S. military. Second is The Inaugural Ball, which is the only official inaugural ball open to the general public during the January 2013 Presidential Inauguration. This event will take place throughout the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place in Washington, D.C., on the night of January 21. Cost is $60 per person.

Tuesday, January 22,
10 a.m.
Inaugural National Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral.
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, along with dignitaries and Americans of diverse faiths will attend the service which will include prayer, readings and musical performances. The event is by invitation only and will be webcast live at www.nationalcathedral.org.

The best way to navigate D.C. – Take the METRO

On Inauguration Day, Metrorail will open at 4 a.m. and close at 2 a.m There will be 17 consecutive hours of rush-hour service — from 4 a.m. until 9 p.m. Peak fares will be in effect during that time. Normal weekday parking rates will apply at Metrorail parking facilities. Parking fees will be charged as you exit the garage and may be paid by SmarTrip® or credit card. Metrobus will operate weekday rush hour service in the morning, followed by an early rush hour in the afternoon.