The Final State of the Union
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Summary:
In two separate, private ceremonies, President Obama and Vice President Biden are officially sworn into office, marking the start of the second term.
Today, in two separate, private ceremonies, President Obama and Vice President Biden were officially sworn into office, marking the start of the second term. (The Constitution mandates that the President takes the oath on January 20. Since that date falls on a Sunday this year, the public inauguration ceremony and festivities will take place tomorrow, January 21)
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts administers the oath of office to President Barack Obama during the official swearing-in ceremony in the Blue Room of the White House on Inauguration Day, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. First Lady Michelle Obama, holding the Robinson family Bible, along with daughters Malia and Sasha, stand with the President. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
President Obama took the oath, administered by Chief Justice John Roberts, in the Blue Room of the White House, using a bible that belonged to First Lady Michelle Obama’s paternal grandparents.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts administers the oath of office to President Barack Obama during the official swearing-in ceremony in the Blue Room of the White House on Inauguration Day, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. First Lady Michelle Obama, holding the Robinson family Bible, along with daughters Malia and Sasha, stand with the President. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
Vice President Biden was sworn in by Justice Sonia Sotomayor in front of family and friends in a ceremony at the Naval Observatory. Vice President Biden took the oath using the Biden family bible.
Supreme Court Justice Sonya Sotomayor administers the oath of office to Vice President Joe Biden during the official swearing-in ceremony at the Naval Observatory Residence in Washington DC, Jan. 20, 2013. Dr. Jill Biden holds the biden family Bible. Also pictured, from left, are: Maisy Biden, Hunter Biden, Naomi Biden, Finnegan Biden, Natalie Biden, Kathleen Biden, Hunter Biden, Ashley Biden, Howard Krein, Beau Biden and Hallie Biden. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)
The President and Vice President also participated in a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery this morning. Later today, they will attend an inaugural reception.
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden pause during a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., on Inauguration Day, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. Major General Michael S. Linnington, Commanding General of the Military District of Washington, D.C., accompanies them. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Tomorrow, President Obama will deliver his second inaugural address from the Capitol. Tune in tomorrow to whitehouse.gov/inauguration to watch the public ceremony and speech live, starting at 11:00 a.m. EST.
Below, watch President Obama speak in his own words about what this inauguration means to him.
And don't miss this gallery of images from the 2013 Inaugural weekend
