Biden placed his hand on a 5-inch-thick Bible that has been in his family for 128 years and recited the 35-word oath of office to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution." Chief Justice John Roberts administered the ceremony, completing the process at 11:49 a.m., just 11 minutes before the official transfer of presidential authority. Following this, Kamala Harris was sworn in as vice president by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, with her hand on a Bible that belonged to Thurgood Marshall, a civil rights icon and Supreme Court justice. Harris' inauguration marked her as the highest-ranking woman in US history, as well as the first Black American and first person of South Asian descent to hold the nation's second-highest office. Biden, in his Inaugural Address, declared that "democracy has prevailed" after a test of the system by former president Donald Trump, who attempted to overturn the election results and incited a mob to storm the Capitol. Biden called for unity among Americans to address the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, economic difficulties, and racism. Biden emphasized the need to end the division in the country between red and blue, rural and urban, conservative and liberal during his 21-minute address. He urged for unity, tolerance, humility, and empathy towards others, highlighting the importance of opening our souls instead of hardening our hearts. Biden acknowledged that unity may seem like a far-fetched idea to some, but he believed that Americans have overcome polarization in the past and can do so again. He called for an end to the shouting and a decrease in hostility in order to come together and move forward as a nation. Unity is essential for peace and progress, without it there is only bitterness, fury, and chaos. This historic moment of crisis and challenge requires unity to move forward. The ceremony marking the end of the divisive Trump presidency took place on a chilly, breezy day with a brief snowfall. Trump broke tradition by leaving Washington before his successor was sworn in, while Mike Pence attended the event. President Joe Biden was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts Jr., finalizing the process just 11 minutes before the authority of the presidency officially transferred. Trump, on the other hand, flew to Florida to live at his Mar-a-Lago estate. However, the Senate will soon begin his impeachment trial for allegedly inciting an insurrection by urging the mob that attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6. The image of the new president and vice president standing on the same Capitol West Front where the pro-Trump crowd had caused chaos just weeks before highlighted the surreal nature of the day. Contrary to typical joyful and hopeful inauguration celebrations, the events on the 59th Inauguration Day highlighted the challenges facing America. The presence of a Black Lives Matter and George Floyd mural as a supporter of outgoing President Donald Trump walked by during US President Joe Biden's inauguration in Washington D.C. on January 20, 2021, served as a stark reminder of the country's troubles. In light of concerns over potential violence, Washington was heavily fortified with 25,000 National Guard troops, police officers, and a significant portion of downtown cordoned off. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Americans were urged to stay away, resulting in a sparsely populated National Mall where the new president addressed an audience of flags instead of people. Reuters reported that many traditional inauguration events were canceled due to the pandemic, such as the lunch with congressional leaders, parade down Pennsylvania Avenue, and evening balls where the new president and first lady typically dance. Instead, President Biden will review military units at the Capitol, then be escorted to the White House by marching bands from various military branches and university drum lines. A virtual "Parade Across America" will showcase performances from all 56 states and territories. Former Presidents Obama, Bush, and Clinton will join Biden at Arlington National Cemetery before a 90-minute evening program hosted by Tom Hanks. If the grandeur and formality of the event were limited by current challenges, President Biden's determination to quickly undo the policies of the Trump administration was not. He planned to sign 17 executive orders, memorandums, and proclamations in the late afternoon, aiming to reverse many key aspects of the previous administration - a strong rejection of his predecessor and a more extensive set of Inauguration Day actions than seen in modern history. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. Some of his planned actions included implementing a national mask mandate for federal workers and property, extending eviction protections and student loan relief, rejoining the Paris climate accord, halting the border wall construction, lifting the travel ban on certain Muslim-majority countries, supporting young immigrants brought to the US illegally as children, prohibiting federal government discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and placing a temporary halt on oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. Rarely, if ever, has a new president taken such swift action to undo the work of his predecessor on his first day in office, but Biden was determined to show a clear break from Trump. Some of the executive orders may have been more symbolic than impactful, and lasting change will ultimately rely on legislation. In this vein, Biden is set to introduce an immigration reform plan on Wednesday that includes a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented individuals, a proposal that will need to be approved by Congress amid what is expected to be a contentious debate. "Democracy has prevailed." Watch President Joe Biden's Inaugural Address. President Joe Biden's Inaugural Address can be viewed by clicking on the link provided. The Senate may be preoccupied with Trump's trial, making it difficult for Biden's Cabinet choices to be confirmed on Inauguration Day, which goes against tradition. Trump had two Cabinet secretaries confirmed on his first day in office, whereas Obama and Bush had seven each. Harris' inauguration has given the Senate majority to the Democrats, who now have 50 members compared to the Republicans' 50, thanks to her tiebreaking vote as the chamber's president. Chuck Schumer, from New York, is now the Democratic majority leader and plans to have two tracks in place to consider nominations, legislation, and the Trump trial simultaneously. Biden aimed to deliver an Inaugural Address that was markedly different from his predecessor's style, which leaned towards provocation rather than conciliation. Biden had been working on this address with the help of his longtime adviser, Mike Donilon, as well as historian Jon Meacham, speechwriter Vinay Reddy, and his sister, Valerie Biden Owens. Flags were displayed at the National Mall in Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, representing individuals who were unable to attend President Joe Biden's inauguration. Despite calling for unity, Biden addressed racism in the aftermath of the George Floyd killing and the Capitol siege. Without mentioning Trump by name, Biden emphasized the importance of truth and the repercussions of lies following a presidency marked by falsehoods. Biden's inauguration highlighted a stark contrast to his predecessor in terms of age, gender, and race. Biden, a veteran politician with a long career as a senator and former vice president, is known for his experience working with both Democrats and Republicans in Washington. He aims to establish a partnership with Senator Mitch McConnell and other members of the GOP. Biden is characterized by his talkative nature, warm smile, sometimes overly familiar behavior, and tendency to make mistakes. He practices a politics of empathy similar to Clinton and a relationship-focused approach like George H.W. Bush. Despite being the oldest president in American history at 78, allies admit that he is not as sharp as he once was, leading to scrutiny from both supporters and critics. After overcoming doubts and obstacles, Biden secured the presidency at the age of 78, with strong center-left beliefs but a willingness to adapt to the political center. The more progressive faction of his party remains doubtful, and he may struggle to maintain his electoral coalition, which was mainly united by a mutual dislike for Trump. Biden takes office with strong public support behind him, with 57% of Americans viewing him favorably, according to Gallup - a higher rating than Trump ever received. Additionally, 68% approve of Biden's handling of the transition. However, a majority of the public thinks the country is heading in the wrong direction, and 32% do not believe Biden won the election fairly, likely influenced by Trump's baseless claims of fraud. Biden and Harris bring a new level of diversity to the highest levels of government. Biden is only the second Catholic president, following John F. Kennedy, and Harris made history by breaking gender and racial barriers to become vice president. Biden's Cabinet includes record numbers of women and people of color, as well as the first openly gay person to lead a statutory Cabinet department. A National Guard member used his smartphone to capture the scene at the US Capitol during Biden's inauguration on January 20, 2021. Biden began his public day by attending a service at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle with his wife, Jill Biden, Harris, her husband Doug Emhoff, and congressional leaders from both parties, including McConnell, after spending the night at Blair House. A National Guard member used his smartphone to record the scene at the US Capitol during President Joe Biden's inauguration on January 20, 2021. This was a departure from tradition, as most new presidents typically attend a worship service at St. John's Church before taking the oath. However, St. Matthew's also has a presidential history as the location of Kennedy's funeral. Among those in attendance at the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol were three former presidents and their wives, as well as former Vice President Dan Quayle. Along with Justices Roberts and Sotomayor, four other Supreme Court justices were present, including Justice Elena Kagan and all three of Trump's appointees. Pence and his wife, Karen Pence, were given bipartisan applause upon their arrival at the Capitol for showing respect for the transition of power despite Trump's snub. This marked Pence's first visit since he was evacuated from the Senate chamber two weeks ago to escape the pro-Trump mob, some of whom were chanting "Hang Mike Pence" for not blocking the Electoral College vote count as Trump had demanded. The inauguration ceremony featured performances by Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, and Garth Brooks, with additional stars like Kerry Washington, Bruce Springsteen, and Demi Lovato set to perform at the "Celebrating America" event later that evening. The celebrity performances will bookend the official business of the day. Biden is scheduled to sign his orders and memorandums in the Oval Office at 5:15 p.m., followed by a virtual swearing-in of his staff a half-hour later. At 7 p.m., Jen Psaki, the new White House press secretary, will hold her first daily briefing, providing reporters with a regular opportunity to question the White House, a practice that had largely disappeared under Trump. The Bidens will then spend their first night in the White House, marking the completion of a journey that officially began in 1987, though unofficially much earlier. These were not the circumstances that the new president may have envisioned when starting on this path, but history always brings surprises.