For the first time in modern history, a U.S. president will have a private swearing-in ceremony since the 20th day of the month will fall on a Sunday. The 20th Amendment to the Constitution established Jan. 20 as the beginning of a presidential term in 1933. This is only the seventh time since 1937 that the official inauguration day has fallen on a Sunday. President Obama will use a Bible that belongs to the family of first lady Michelle Obama at the private ceremony.
Obama will then give his inaugural address on Monday, Jan. 21 and will be followed with performances by singers Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor. Myrlie Evers-Williams, widow of the slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers, will deliver the invocation speech, while Cuban-American poet Richard Blanco will recite the Inaugural Poem.
Obama’s second inauguration differs radically from the first Inauguration of George Washington, which took place in New York City in 1789, which at the time was the center of American political life.
