Obama Inauguration Schedule

Here is a complete breakdown of President Barack Obama’s inauguration schedule.

Saturday January 17

Obama and his family traveled by train to from Philadelphia to Washington to recreate the train journey that Abraham Lincoln undertook.

Sunday January 18

At 2pm ET Obama kicked off the inauguration activities with a welcome event at the Lincoln Memorial. The free concert saw performances by Bruce Springsteen, Bono and U2, and Beyoncé.

Monday January 19

Events for Monday include –
• National Day of Community Service event – In honor of the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. the families of Obama and Vice-president elect Joe Biden will take part in community activities to promote the spirit of serving others.
• A children’s evening concert honoring the families of servicemen – This event is hosted by Michelle Obama and will have performances by Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers and others.
• Private dinners hosted to commend the services of former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Biden and Sen. John McCain for their public service. Obama will attend these functions.

Tuesday January 20

Gates to the inauguration ceremonies will open at 8 am. Inauguration ceremonies to commence at 10 am on the steps of the Capitol building.
The sequence of events is as follows -
• Musical selections – The United States Marine Band, followed by The San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus.
• Senator Dianne Feinstein provides the call to order and welcoming remarks.
• Invocation by Reverend Rick Warren.
• Musical selection of Aretha Franklin
• Swearing-in ceremony of Vice-President elect Joe Biden by Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens. This will commence at 11:30 am.
• Musical selections of John Williams, composer/arranger with Itzhak Perlman, (violin), Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Gabriela Montero (piano) and Anthony McGill (clarinet)
• President-elect Barack Obama will take the oath of office, sworn-in by Chief Justice John Roberts. Obama will use the same Bible that Abraham Lincoln used for his inauguration ceremony. Obama’s inauguration will commence at 12 pm.
• President Barack Obama’s inaugural address
• Poem by Elizabeth Alexander
• Benediction by the Reverend Dr Joseph E Lowery
• The National Anthem performed by the US navy band Sea Chanters
1pm: President has lunch with the Congressional leaders.
2pm: The parade from Congress down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.
Evening: Obama will attend ten inaugural balls.