On Wednesday, January 20, Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States. With his hand on a five-inch-thick Bible that has been in his family for 128 years, Biden recited the oath of office swearing to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.

“This is America’s day,”  Biden said. “This is democracy’s day.”

It was a historic day for the States as we welcomed the first woman, the first Black American, and the first South Asian American to be elected Vice President. This was the case with other offices she has held, such as District Attorney of San Francisco, California Attorney General, and United States Senator.

Former US President Donald Trump left the White House for the final time on Wednesday, heading by helicopter to a nearby military base where he will fly to Florida, skipping the inauguration, and breaking a 150 year tradition. Former vice president Mike Pence, however, did attend. 

Many familiar faces were seen at the ceremony to show their respect. 

Among them were former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush, former first lady Hillary Clinton, former Vice President Mike Pence and wife, Karen Pence, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Texas Senator Ted Cruz. Bernie Sanders was also in attendance, wearing a beige parka and large mittens. 

President Biden entered the white house with many differing opinions than the former president, leading him to sweep aside Trump’s pandemic response, reverse his environmental agenda, bolster the economic recovery and restore federal efforts aimed at promoting diversity.

President Biden also took a series of executive actions on issues including immigration and criminal justice. He, additionally, moved to rejoin the Paris climate accord.

“We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal,” Biden said. “We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts.”