President Joe Biden’s inauguration was like no other. Kamala Harris took office as the first woman, first Black person and first Asian-American to serve as vice president. Some 25,000 National Guard troops provided tight security following the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. The limited crowd of spectators wore masks and sat at arm’s length because of COVID-19. And for the first time in decades, the outgoing president was not present.
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Top photo: Flags representing people unable to attend the inauguration line the National Mall on Wednesday morning in Washington.
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Joe Biden addresses the country in his first speech as president Wednesday after taking the oath of office during the 59th presidential inauguration in Washington.
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Above, President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, watch a military guard pass in review.
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Left, Biden walks an abbreviated parade route after taking the oath of office Wednesday.
Yalonda M. James / San Francisco Chronicle
Above, Doug Emhoff and Vice President Kamala Harris watch former Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, leave the inauguration.
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Vice President Kamala Harris bumps fists with Biden after taking her oath.
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Lady Gaga performs the national anthem to help get the ceremonies started Wednesday.
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America’s first national youth poet laureate, Amanda Gorman, had an inspiring message.