Every four years, thousands flock to Washington for a whirlwind of Inauguration Day balls and shows. But as the coronavirus pandemic continues to force the reduction of most major national events, President Joe Biden’s inaugural committee decided to bring the festivities to the TV screens.
“Celebrating America”, a 90-minute special that aired on various networks on Wednesday night, brought together a mix of A-list talents – Justin Timberlake, John Legend, Demi Lovato – and ordinary Americans from all walks of life. including teachers and nurses on the front lines of the Covid-19 crisis.
The special, which changed rapidly (more or less) between live performances spanning the genre and recorded video segments, was both a celebration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ rise to the White House and a reflection of the new political personality of the president.
Music selections often reverted to themes of hope in the face of darkness and better days ahead. In an echo of Biden’s rhetoric about the pandemic, many of the songs featured emphasized the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.
“It is in times like these that you learn to love again,” sang Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, adding later: “I am a new day being born.” The Broadway stars got together by videoconference for a performance of “Let the Sunshine In” from the musical “Hair”. Jon Bon Jovi covered the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun”.
Biden’s personal touch was especially evident in a brief segment in the middle of the event: Conductor Lin-Manuel Miranda “Hamilton” recited “The cure in Troy”, by Biden’s favorite Irish poet, Seamus Heaney.
The entertainment show was crowned by a spectacular firework display that lit up the country’s capital. Here is a look at other important moments:
Springsteen sings in front of the Lincoln Memorial
Bruce Springsteen kicked off the special with a touching version of “Land of Hope and Dreams”, a track full of melancholy and optimism in equal parts.
“Leave your sorrows behind / May this day be the last / Tomorrow there will be sun / And all this darkness from the past,” Springsteen sang, strumming his guitar and being alone in front of the Lincoln Memorial. The lyrics were an appropriate thematic setting for the night.
Springsteen, who publicly supported Biden’s presidential candidacy, narrated and provided the soundtrack for a 60-second campaign ad titled “Hometown,” which highlighted Scranton, Biden’s hometown in Pennsylvania. The commercial featured the song “My Hometown” from his album “Born in the USA”
“Land of Hope and Dreams”, written in 1999, has already been used in other political contexts. John Kerry used music as an introductory song during his 2004 presidential campaign. President Barack Obama played the track after his farewell speech in 2017.
Tom Hanks speaks to intense national divisions
Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks presented the special, featuring guests and segments in a simple style. He started the evening formally with some serious thoughts about social friction in the United States.
“In the past few weeks and years, we have witnessed deep divisions and a worrying grudge in our land,” said Hanks, referring to the violence on the United States Capitol and, presumably, in the Trump era as a whole. “But tonight we are going to reflect on the United States of America.
“The practice of our democracy, the foundations of our republic, the integrity of our Constitution, the hopes and dreams we all share for a more perfect union,” added Hanks.
Hanks and his wife, also actress Rita Wilson, were the first major Hollywood celebrities to announce that they had tested positive for Covid-19 in March.
Teenager who spoke at DNC reads part of JFK’s speech
Brayden Harrington, the 13-year-old who on the last night of the Democratic National Convention shared his story about how Biden helped him with his stuttering, appeared on a video segment and read an excerpt from President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address.
Brayden, dressed in a checkered bow tie and dark jacket, was widely celebrated on Twitter, where political commentators praised him for his stance and bravery.
Biden, who fought stuttering for many years, met Brayden in New Hampshire last year. He appeared during DNC and asked viewers to vote for Biden – although he is not old enough to register to vote.
Three ex-presidents meet
Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush appeared in a video recorded to extol the virtues of American democracy and the peaceful transition of presidential power.
“The fact that the three of us are here talking about a peaceful transfer of power speaks to the institutional integrity of our country,” Bush said, implicitly nodding to Donald Trump’s refusal to grant the election and the Capitol riot that he helped inspire .
Clinton asked people of all ideological tendencies to come together in a spirit of cooperation: “It’s a new start. Everyone needs to step out of their position and reach out to their friends and neighbors and try to make it possible.”
Obama offered a personal message to his former vice president: “Joe, I am proud of you.”
