"The inauguration this year was different due to Covid 19 limiting in person activities and the capital riot raising safety concerns." -- Jif Dillemuth, 8th grade
Every four years, hundreds of thousands of people are usually drawn to Washington DC to join the inaugural festivities but this time, it’s not the same. The inauguration this year was different due to Covid 19 limiting in person activities and the capital riot raising safety concerns.
To prevent the further spread of Covid 19, there is a restriction of people allowed to attend the event, 2,000 people—which is about 1% of the normal attendance. Because of this there was a virtual parade to substitute the traditional inaugural parade including groups of people from across the country.
Since the mob storming the capitol building on Jan. 6th, officials have been more careful with security. Public access to the Washington monument has been shut down to further ensure the safety of the event. In addition, Airbnb and a few hotels near the metro even cancelled reservations.
Even without the usual crowd performances kept the show going including Lady Gaga, who sung the national anthem, and Jenifer Lopez who sang “This Land is Your Land.” National Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman made history by being the youngest poet to read at an inauguration. Gorman recited her poem, “The Hill We Climb.” She wore a ring decorated with a caged bird on the top, based on Maya Angelou’s poem “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” This was a gift given to her from Oprah Whinfrey.
Major Biden, the first rescue dog to live in the White House, was celebrated with the first ever “Indoguration” hosted online where Josh Grobin performed,“I’m adopting that doggie in the window.” Over $200,000 was raised for the Delaware Humane Association during the event. This was a nice restoration of dogs to the White House since being dogless for four years.
A small detail that just has to be mentioned was Bernie Sanders, who stole the show on Wednesday. While all of the other guests wore their haute couture, he showed up in a well-worn winter jacket and puffy mittens. He arrived with mail in his hands looking as if he just happened to cross through the inauguration on the way to the post office. That was just the start of his very memeable time there.
To prevent the further spread of Covid 19, there is a restriction of people allowed to attend the event, 2,000 people—which is about 1% of the normal attendance. Because of this there was a virtual parade to substitute the traditional inaugural parade including groups of people from across the country.
Since the mob storming the capitol building on Jan. 6th, officials have been more careful with security. Public access to the Washington monument has been shut down to further ensure the safety of the event. In addition, Airbnb and a few hotels near the metro even cancelled reservations.
Even without the usual crowd performances kept the show going including Lady Gaga, who sung the national anthem, and Jenifer Lopez who sang “This Land is Your Land.” National Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman made history by being the youngest poet to read at an inauguration. Gorman recited her poem, “The Hill We Climb.” She wore a ring decorated with a caged bird on the top, based on Maya Angelou’s poem “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” This was a gift given to her from Oprah Whinfrey.
Major Biden, the first rescue dog to live in the White House, was celebrated with the first ever “Indoguration” hosted online where Josh Grobin performed,“I’m adopting that doggie in the window.” Over $200,000 was raised for the Delaware Humane Association during the event. This was a nice restoration of dogs to the White House since being dogless for four years.
A small detail that just has to be mentioned was Bernie Sanders, who stole the show on Wednesday. While all of the other guests wore their haute couture, he showed up in a well-worn winter jacket and puffy mittens. He arrived with mail in his hands looking as if he just happened to cross through the inauguration on the way to the post office. That was just the start of his very memeable time there.
