WASHINGTON, D.C. – After an arguably tense month, Joseph Robinette Biden was inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States on Jan. 20, 2021.

“We’ve learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. At this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed,” were some of the first words said by President Biden in his inaugural address.

The events of this past month loomed heavy over this inauguration. On Jan. 6, pro-Trump protests at the Capitol Building escalated, with former President Trump eventually being impeached for a second time on claims he helped to stroke the unrest.

Due to security concerns, even Maryland National Guard troops were deployed to D.C. to help keep peace and prevent civil unrest. President Trump also broke with tradition and didn’t attend this year’s inauguration. Despite these circumstances, Joseph Biden, and Kamala Harris were inaugurated as the new President and Vice President of the United States this morning. 

Before becoming the 46th President, Joe Biden served as a U.S. Senator representing the state Delaware from 1973-2009. He then went on to serve as Vice President under Barack Obama from 2009-2017. Joe Biden is also the oldest elected president in history at the age of 78 years old.

The 2020 election marked Biden’s third attempt at running for President, and after securing the Democratic nomination he announced Kamala Harris as his pick for Vice President, who was one of his challengers in the 2020 Democratic Primary.

Kamala Harris was a U.S. Senator from California and served prior as the Attorney General for the state. Vice President Harris marks several historical landmarks in U.S. history being the first women, African American, and Indian American to serve as Vice President.

Biden’s inaugural speech spoke of the importance of preserving American democracy and America’s commitment to overcoming challenges and improving upon our mistakes. Similar to the sentiment that echoed many times on the campaign trail that we are fighting for the “soul of this nation.”

He closed his speech emphasizing these points and presenting his vision for what our country should stand for.

“Democracy and hope, truth and justice did not die on our watch but thrived,” Biden remarked. “That America secured liberty at home and stood once again as a beacon to the world. That is what we owe our forebears, one another, and generations to follow.”

Contact Tyler at tylerchesser@thebaynet.com