“Democracy has prevailed.”
America officially has its new leaders when the president-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr and vice-president-elect Kamala Harris were inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States and 49th Vice President of the United States.
President Biden made a mark in history as the oldest president and the second Catholic president of the United States, while Vice President Harris shattered glass ceilings of injustice and discrimination as the first African-American, first Asian-American, first female vice president since the United States was born and built.
The ceremony began with an opening speech by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, the first female senator elected in the great state of Minnesota and a 2016 primary contender of both Harris and Biden, and Republican senator of Missouri Roy Blunt.
Former President of Georgetown University Fr. Leo O’Donovan then led the opening prayer followed by the singing of the national anthem performed by singer-songwriter Lady Gaga.
History-making women became the spotlight when the first Latina Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor administered the oath of the highest-ranking woman in the United States government, Kamala Harris. The oath was followed by Jennifer Lopez’s performance of the song America the Beautiful.
The long-awaited part of the ceremony started when the Joe Biden sworn in as the 46th president by Chief Justice John Roberts. It was reported that the bible carried by his wife Dr. Jill Biden was significant throughout his long career as a public servant, since the 5-inch thick Holy Book was used by the president and his son Beau Biden when they took different positions in the government.
Joe Biden delivered his first ever speech as president. He recognized the presence of Vice President Kamala Harris, former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, as well as the outgoing Vice President Mike Pence, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
In the spirit of bipartisanship, peace and unity, he celebrated the day as a “triumph” for democracy. He also vowed to be “president for all Americans” and will fight for them whether they support or suppose him. Furthermore, he promised to tackle and work on several issues that affect millions of Americans.
The ceremony ended with country singer Garth Brooks’ rendition of Amazing Grace and a wonderful poem recital by Amanda Gorman.