On Monday, January 21, most students will be taking advantage of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to study for midterms or catch up on sleep. But the date is important for another reason: it is the day of the 2013 Presidential Inauguration, Obama’s second and final inaugural ceremony.
Most sophomores, juniors, and seniors remember watching the event four years ago in the Madison Junior School auditorium. It was an important event in the nation’s history: the swearing-in of the first African-American president. What makes this inauguration special?
This year is unique for several reasons. For one, the ceremony on Monday is just for show: Obama’s real inauguration takes place on Sunday, January 20, as detailed in the 20th Amendment to the Constitution. This is the seventh time in the nation’s history that Inauguration Day has fallen on a Sunday. When Obama appears on television on Monday, he will have already stated the Oath of Office in the Blue Room of the White House.
Obama has also decided to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. by using his bible in the ceremony. King’s children greatly appreciate the gesture, and said that King’s “‘traveling bible’ inspired him as he fought for freedom, justice and equality, and we hope it can be a source of strength for the president as he begins his second term.” Obama will be swearing on two bibles: Lincoln’s bible, which he used during his first inauguration, and King’s bible. This is not the first time that two bibles have been used, but it is the first time that King’s bible has been used in an inauguration.
The more technologically-savvy may be excited to learn that this will be the first inauguration to feature an official app. Android and iPhone users can easily stream the swearing-in and inaugural address. The app also provides a Twitter feed to easily follow the day’s events. Presidential Inaugural Committee head Steve Kerrigan says that the app is designed to “make sure folks across this country don’t miss a moment of history.”
This year’s inauguration activities will be less extravagant than those of the previous ceremony. (The number of inaugural balls has dropped from ten to two, as compared to four years ago.) However, a number of notable celebrities have volunteered their talents. Katy Perry, Usher, Brad Paisley, Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, and the cast of “Glee” are among those scheduled to perform at any number of events associated with the inauguration.
Many of the festivities will be shown on various news stations. Fox News, for one, has just announced its plans to cover the events. And ABC News and Yahoo! News are teaming up to provide live streaming for internet users.
The large number of ways to view the inauguration will certainly please Obama fans and followers of politics. But it may also provide a way for Madison High School students to take a much-deserved studying break.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/11/inauguration-performers-katy-perry-beyonce_n_2454908.html