Cheering crowds with hundreds of thousands of people huddled shoulder to shoulder.
Glamorous galas, lunches, dances and a parade.
Inaugurations are generally a joyous celebration of the peaceful transfer of power in the world’s oldest democracy.
But not this year.
In the wake of the violent and deadly violation of U.S. Capitol Hill by a pro-Trump mob and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris will be unlike any other in American history.
Here’s what you should know:
Unprecedented security and pandemic precautions
An unprecedented level of security is being organized for the 59th induction ceremony, as police authorities are on high alert for possible attacks and disturbances.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser asked public officials to discourage viewers from attending the opening in an effort to prevent violence during the event.
Thousands of National Guard soldiers will be stationed around the 2.10 meter non-scalable fence around the US Capitol, which is covered with barbed wire. The National Parks service will also implement the temporary public closure of the National Mall from January 15th to 21st.
“We are clearly in unknown waters,” said Bowser during a news conference on Wednesday.
Trump and Harris make history
Not to mention the fact that for the first time in more than 100 years, the outgoing president, Donald Trump, will not be present at the inauguration, a move that Biden said was “good”.
Trump plans to leave Washington the morning of his inauguration on a “military” farewell to Andrews Joint Base, from where he will head to Mar-a-Lago, his Florida home.
Leaving presidents generally greet the incoming president and then ride together to the Capitol for the ceremony. Only three presidents did not attend the inauguration of their successor – John Adams, John Quincy Adams and Andrew Johnson.
Vice President Mike Pence, who refused to subvert the election results to keep Trump in power, but took 68 days to call his successor, Kamala Harris, will be there.
Harris is about to make history by taking office as the first black woman to be vice president.
What to watch and how
With the extensive security measures in place and the need to avoid large crowds to stem the spread of the coronavirus, most Americans will experience the historic ceremony virtually. See how you can follow the opening on January 20th.
ABC News will provide full coverage of Inauguration Day, Wednesday, January 20th, starting at 7am ET
ABC News Live will also provide live coverage starting at 9:00 am Eastern Time. You can stream ABC News Live via ABC News App, Hulu, Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV and Roku TV.
The Biden campaign and the inaugural Presidential Committee will also broadcast the Inauguration Day live online.
Before Induction Day, there is a National Service Day planned for January 18, along with the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, followed by a national COVID-19 memorial the following day.
On January 20, the ceremony will feature musical performances by Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez. Lady Gaga, who worked with Biden in a campaign against sexual assault when he was vice president, will sing the national anthem.
Clergy members close to the Biden family will give the invocation blessing and Andrea Hall, president of the International Firefighters Association, which has long supported Biden, will recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
After Biden’s inauguration speech, there will be a wreath laying at Arlington National Cemetery with other first families. Then there will be a virtual parade with presentations from all over the United States
At 8 pm EST ABC News will present, “The Inauguration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr. – A Special ABC News”, which will bring reports on the historical moments of the day.
Then, at 8:30 pm EST ABC will air “Celebrating America”, the primetime special previously announced by the Presidential Inaugural Committee, including performances by Bon Jovi and Demi Lovato, among others. The event will be hosted by Tom Hanks.