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Inauguration Schedule

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Inaugural Calendar


Below are the major events for the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States. They extend from Saturday, Jan. 17, to the day after Inauguration Day, Wednesday, Jan. 21.

CBSNews.com simulcasts of inaugural events are highlighted below. On Inauguration day, Jan. 20, CBS News will be live all day on TV and the Web with live inauguration coverage.


Inauguration Day: Tuesday, 1.20.09



  • 7:00-9:30 a.m.: The Early Show | Simulcast

  • 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.: CBS News Coverage | Simulcast

  • 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.: CBS Evening News With Katie Couric | Simulcast

  • 9:00 p.m: "Change And Challenge: The Inauguration of Barack Obama" | Simulcast

  • 10:00 p.m.: Katie Couric's Live Inauguration Webcast



Event: Morning Worship

President-elect Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Vice President-elect Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden attend the traditional morning worship service at St. John's Episcopal Church at 8:45 a.m.

Event: Coffee At The White House

Before President-elect Obama, Vice President-elect Biden and their spouses head to the Capitol for the inauguration ceremony, they'll stop at the White House to meet with President George W. Bush, first lady Laura Bush and the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies Leadership.
The Obamas and Bidens will be greeted by the Bushes at the North Portico at 9:55 a.m.; They'll sit down for coffee in the Blue Room at 10:05 a.m.

Event: Swearing-In Ceremony

The President-elect and Vice President-elect and their families will participate in the traditional inaugural ceremonies and events. Begins at 11:30 a.m. at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. No tickets are required to view the Inaugural Ceremony on the National Mall west of 4th Street.



  • Musical Selections: The United States Marine Band, followed by The San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus

  • Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks: Senator Dianne Feinstein

  • Invocation: Dr. Rick Warren

  • Musical Selection: Aretha Franklin

  • Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will be sworn into office by Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, the Honorable John Paul Stevens

  • Musical Selection: John Williams, composer/arranger with Itzhak Perlman, (violin), Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Gabriela Montero (piano) and Anthony McGill (clarinet)

  • Barack H. Obama will take the Oath of Office, using President Lincoln's Inaugural Bible, administered by the Chief Justice of the United States, the Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.

  • Inaugural Address

  • Poem: Elizabeth Alexander

  • Benediction: The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery

  • The National Anthem: The United States Navy Band "Sea Chanters"

Event: Luncheon

President Obama will escort outgoing President George W. Bush to a departure ceremony before attending a luncheon in the Capitol's Statuary Hall.

Event: Parade

The 56th Inaugural Parade will then make its way down Pennsylvania Ave. from the Capitol to the White House with groups traveling from all over the country to participate. While there is no official start time for the parade, it traditionally begins around 2:30 p.m.

Event: Inaugural Balls

The Presidential Inaugural Committee will host 10 official Inaugural Balls throughout Washington. A ticket is required for admission to each ball.


Wednesday, 1.21.09

Event: National Prayer Service

The newly-inaugurated President and Vice President of the United States and their families will participate in a prayer service at the National Cathedral. The service will bring together dignitaries and Americans of diverse faiths to celebrate the previous day's events through prayer, readings, and musical performances. The event is not open to the public.


Previous Events

Saturday, 1.17.09

Event: Train Travel To Washington

The inaugural celebration will begin with a whistle-stop tour from Philadelphia, the city where democracy was born, to Washington, where the inauguration ceremony will be held.


  • 10:05 a.m.: Rally at 30th Street Station in Philadelphia | Simulcast
    President-elect Obama and his family, along with everyday Americans travel by train to the District of Columbia. Tickets required.

  • 1 p.m.: Wilmington, Del. Train Station | Simulcast

    Pick up Vice President-elect Biden and his family. Event is open to public.


  • 4:15 p.m.: Rally in Baltimore | Simulcast

    War Memorial Plaza, 101 N. Gay St. Event is open to the public.


  • Arrival in Washington, D.C.


Sunday, 1.18.09

Event: We Are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration

Mr. Obama, with the help of an all-star line-up of talent, kick off the schedule of official inaugural activities in Washington, D.C., with a welcome event on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The event will be free and open to the public. Public gates open at 8 a.m. and the event begins at 2:30 p.m.

3:58 p.m.: Mr. Obama is scheduled address the crowd | Simulcast


Monday, 1.19.09

Event: Renew America Together: A Call to Service

To honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the president-elect and vice president-elect and their families, joined by Americans in communities all across the country, will participate in activities dedicated to serving others in communities across the Washington, D.C., area.

  • Click here to find out more or find a service event near you.
  • Event: Kids' Inaugural: We Are The Future

    An evening youth concert at the Verizon Center honoring military families will be attended by Mrs. Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden and their families. The concert is free, but tickets are required. The
    event begins at 7 p.m.

    Event: Bipartisan Dinners

    Three bipartisan dinners hosted by the President-elect will honor an American whose lifetime of public service has been enhanced by a dedication to bipartisan achievement. By invitation only.



    • Honoree: General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.)
      National Building Museum, 5 p.m.

    • Honoree: Senator John McCain
      Hilton Washington, 5 p.m.

    • Honoree: Vice President-elect Joe Biden

      Union Station, 6:30 p.m.



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