It's official: President Barack Obama has begun his second term in the White House. The Commander-in-Chief was quietly sworn into office just before noon on Sunday, Jan. 20, one day before the public ceremony on the Capitol steps, which is expected to attract more than 800,000 people.
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| President Barack Obama is sworn in for his second term by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts, January 20, 2013. Credit: whitehouse/YouTube |
A few hours earlier, Vice President Joe Biden was officially sworn in by Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor at his residence on the grounds of the Naval Observatory. Among the audience at his ceremony were his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, and other family members.
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| Vice President Joe Biden Sworn in for a second term by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington on January 20, 2013. Credit: Kevin Lamarque/Pool/startraksphoto |
Sunday's intimate events -- which satisfied the Constitutional requirement that the POTUS be sworn in before noon on the Jan. 20 after an election -- were in stark contrast to the pomp and circumstance planned for Monday. The Jan. 21 Inauguration will be attended by hundreds of thousands of people, including several celebrities.
Earlier this month, the Presidential Inaugural Committee announced that Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson, and James Taylor would take the stage to sing the National Anthem, "My Country Tis of Thee," and "America the Beautiful," respectively. Alicia Keys, Katy Perry, fun, and Usher are also scheduled to appear at various Inaugural events.
"Vice President Biden and I are honored to have these wonderfully talented musical artists perform at the Inaugural ceremony," President Obama, 51, said in a statement. "Their music is often at the heart of the American story and speaks to folks across the country."
