Biden and Harris break barriers, create history | US Inauguration Day 2021 -- as it happened

Kamala Harris enters WHouse for first time as vice-president

Kamala Harris just entered the Eisenhower Executive Office Building for the first time as vice-president after walking a parade route to the White House grounds with her family.

Biden takes office as 46th US president

He is now at the White House.

Biden arrives at the White House for first time as president

Joe Biden has arrived at the White House for the first time as president. 

The new president walked onto the White House grounds, after walking the last few blocks to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

The band played "Hail to the Chief" and "God Bless America" as Biden and his wife walked in.

Biden fist bumps member of press

President Joe Biden made a couple stops as he walked toward the White House along the inaugural parade route.

He took a moment to jog over to a press area, while he was walking to the White House, and fist bumped a member of the press, according to the live coverage.

Biden's inaugural parade begins

The inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to honour President Joe Biden's incoming administration is virtual this year owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will receive a presidential escort from 15th Street to the White House including the US Army Band, a Joint Service Honor Guard and the commander in chief's Guard and Fife Drum Corps.

Celebrities welcome Biden-Harris to lead America in new direction

From Oprah to Mark Ruffalo and Mindy Kaling, here's how celebrities reacted on Biden-Harris inauguration at the Capitol Hill.

'A day of many firsts'

Today's presidential inauguration marked a series of firsts for the United States. From the country's oldest president to its first woman vice president, and the youngest poet to perform at the ceremony - the inauguration of the 46th President of the United States - Joe Biden was a sign of the times. 

Take a look at the key highlights:

Women opt for monochrome, colour-block at Biden-Harris inauguration

Here's how the women dressed at the Biden-Harris inauguration ceremony at Capitol Hill | SEE PICS

Joe Biden makes his way to White House

Catch up: Read Biden's inaugural address

Joe Biden was sworn in today in DC and became the 46th president of the United States.

You can read his full address here.

Biden participates in wreath-laying ceremony with Obama, Clinton and Bush

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are joined by three former presidents — Barack Obama, George W Bush and Bill Clinton — at a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

Former first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton are also at the event.

Biden is now travelling to Arlington National Cemetery for wreath-laying ceremony

The Bidens will be joined by former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton and former first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Biden and Harris also reviewed readiness of military troops

President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff also participated in a pass in review on the East front of the Capitol with members of the military.

Congressional leaders present gifts to Biden

Congressional leaders are now presenting gifts to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

Reactions from world leaders pour in

On January 20, 2021, Joe Biden took oath as the 46th President of the United States, along with Vice President Kamala Harris. Soon after being sworn in, leaders from across the world congratulated the new president, wishing him all the best.

Here are some reactions.

Biden says real work begins now

"Now the real work begins, folks. Follow along at @POTUS as we build back better," Biden tweeted.

Biden participates in signing ceremony at Capitol 

President Biden will sign three documents while in the President's Room at the Capitol.

These are the documents he's singing:

-Inauguration Day proclamation

-Nominations to Cabinet positions 

-Nominations to sub-Cabinet positions

Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez strike the patriotic chord

Lady Gaga became the voice of democracy with a rendition of the national anthem at Joe Biden and Kamala Harris's inauguration ceremony.

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Kamala Harris has also taken over @VP Twitter account

She shared her first message: “Ready to serve.”

Joe Biden has taken over the @POTUS Twitter handle

And his first tweet spoke of his resilience to provide "immediate relief for American families".

“There is no time to waste when it comes to tackling the crises we face,” the new president said. 

“That’s why today, I am heading to the Oval Office to get right to work delivering bold action and immediate relief for American families.”

Inaugural ceremony concludes

The inaugural ceremony concluded with a benediction by Reverend Silvester Beaman.

Beaman said, “We will make friends of our enemies.”

Biden then left the ceremony as “The Stars and Stripes Forever” played. 

He hugged Barack Obama as he walked out.

Now, there will be an inaugural parade, following which Biden and Harris will have a presidential escort from 15th Street to the White House including the US Army Band, a Joint Service Honor Guard and the commander in chief's Guard and Fife Drum Corps. 

Biden says will defend America

"I will defend the Constitution. I'll defend our democracy. I'll defend America. And I'll give all, all of you, keep everything I do in your service, thinking not of power, but of possibilities. Not of personal interest, but the public good. And together we shall write an American story of hope, not fear, of unity, not division. Of light, not darkness. A story of decency and dignity, love and healing, greatness and goodness."

He ended on a message for Americans, saying that they met the moment.

"May this be the story that guides us, the story that inspires and the stories that tell ages yet to come that we answered the call of history. We met the moment, democracy and hope, truth and justice did not die on our watch but thrived, that America secured liberty at home and stood once again as a beacon to the world. That is what we owe our forebearers, one another and generations to follow. With purpose and resolve, we turn to those tasks of our time, sustain by faith, driven by conviction and devoted to one another and the country we love with all hearts."

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Biden leads silent prayer for victims of coronavirus 

New US President Joe Biden led a moment of silence for the 400,000 American victims of the coronavirus Wednesday, warning the country may be entering the deadliest phase of the pandemic.

"We need all our strength to persevere through this dark winter. We're entering what may be the toughest and deadliest period of the virus," Biden said in his inaugural address.

Biden delivers inaugural address

In his inauguration speech, President Joe Biden recognised racism.

"I know the forces that divide us are deep and they are real. But I also know they are not new. Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal that we are all created equal, and the harsh ugly reality that racism, nativism, fear, demonization have long torn us apart," Biden said. 
He said that through tough times in US history — the Civil War, the Great Depression, both world wars and the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks — "our better angels have always prevailed."

Biden said that in every instance, Americans have been able to come together for the greater good.

"History, faith and reason show the way, the way of unity," Biden said.

Biden delivers inaugural address

"Today we celebrate the triumph, not of a candidate, but of a cause — the cause of democracy. The will of the people has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded. We've learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. And at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed," Biden said as he addressed a cheering crowd.

"Today, on this January day, my whole soul is in this: Bringing America together, uniting our people, uniting our nation."

The president called on Americans to come together to overcome the extraordinary challenges that face the nation.

"To overcome these challenges, to restore the soul and secure the future of America requires so much more than words and requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy, unity."

"Uniting to fight the foes we face. Anger, resentment and hatred, extremism, lawlessness, violence, disease, joblessness and hopelessness. With unity we can do great things, important things."

'Democracy has prevailed'

Biden received a standing ovation as he took the stage to deliver his inaugural address.

After thanking those present at the inauguration, Biden said, “This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day.”

“We’ve learned again that democracy is precious,” the president said. “And at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.”

JOE BIDEN BECOMES THE 46TH US PRESIDENT

Biden was sworn in by supreme court chief justice John Roberts, and his wife, Dr Jill Biden, held the Bible as he took the oath.

The Bible has been Biden’s family since 1893 and was used during his swearing-in ceremonies as vice-president.

Jennifer Lopez is now performing at the stage

Kamala Harris is now officially the vice-president of the US

Trump arrives at home in Mar-a-Lago

Lady Gaga sings the national anthem of the US

Trump issues one more pardon

Trump granted one additional pardon in the final hours of his presidency.

"Today, President Donald J. Trump granted a full pardon to Albert J. Pirro, Jr.," deputy press secretary Judd Deere said in a statement to pool. 

Pirro was convicted on conspiracy and tax evasion charges after improperly deducting $1.2 million of his personal expenses in business write-offs.

Inaugural ceremony gets underway

Inauguration attendees take their seats.

Amy Klobuchar, the incoming Democratic chairwoman of the Senate rules committee, kicks off the ceremony by welcoming everyone to this historic event.

Biden arrives on the platform, and the formal ceremony begins.

Harris arrives on Capitol platform

Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, have arrived on the Capitol platform for the inauguration.

Harris will be sworn in as the vice-president by Supreme Court justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first woman of colour on the court.

Meanwhile, Trump just landed in Florida

The outgoing president, Donald Trump, and the first lady have just landed in Florida. 

Former presidents and former first ladies in attendance are now being introduced at the inauguration.

Bill and Hillary Clinton were introduced first, followed by George W and Laura Bush and Barack and Michelle Obama.

The countdown has begun!

Biden will be sworn in as the 46th US president in the next few minutes.

False alarm!

The Supreme Court did receive a bomb threat, the building and grounds were checked out, but the building was not evacuated.

Harris has also arrived at the US Capitol

Biden arrives at the US Capitol

Biden's motorcade has arrived at the US Capitol ahead of his inauguration.

Biden is expected to take the oath of office outside the building at noon ET.

Supreme Court being evacuated for bomb threat

There is a bomb threat at the Supreme Court. It is now being evacuated.

The Supreme Court building sits across the street from the US Capitol, where President-elect Joe Biden will take the oath of office.

Kamala Harris's niece plays it cool.

Biden heads to Capitol

He'll be sworn in as the US president in next few minutes.

Obamas and Clintons have arrived

Former president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama have arrived at the US Capitol for Joe Biden's inauguration.

Their arrival was followed by former President Bill Clinton and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton shortly after.

Lady Gaga is here!

Before her scheduled performance of the National Anthem at Joe Biden's presidential inauguration, Lady Gaga took a moment to share a prayer for peace.

"I pray tomorrow will be a day of peace for all Americans," she wrote alongside a selfie taken from the US Capitol building which faced a violent act of intrusion this month. 

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Jennifer Lopez arrives in Washington

She is going to perform at the inauguration.

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'This is your time'

Former US president Barack Obama congratulates his friend with a beautiful picture.