Biden Inauguration to Look Very Different from Past Events
2021-01-18
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1Hundreds of thousands of people normally attend a new American president's inauguration.
2But the first day of Joe Biden's presidency will be very different.
3Because of the coronavirus crisis, the official presidential swearing-in ceremony - to be held January 20 - was already going to be more low-key.
4But after the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, heightened security measures will also be in place and crowds will be further limited.
5A high-security area is being established around the Capitol, the White House and the National Mall.
6The U.S. Secret Service is in charge of the inauguration.
7Michael Plati is the agent in charge.
8He said to help deal with possible security threats, there will be increased communication between local and federal police.
9His agency will also cooperate closely with the Department of Defense and Homeland Security officials.
10Plati said he sees the inauguration and the attack on the U.S. Capitol as two very different events.
11For example, he said the inauguration is planned far in advance.
12Unlike what happened at the Capitol on January 6, agencies have plans in place to prevent possible violence.
13In addition to local and federal police officers, there will be 10,000 National Guard soldiers on duty.
14Earlier, the coronavirus was the main concern ahead of this year's inauguration.
15Now, the combination of possible violence and the continued spread of the virus across the U.S. will make this one of the most unusual inaugurations ever.
16There will be no large crowds.
17President-elect Biden will make his way from the Capitol to the White House,
18but it will not be in the usual public parade.
19Instead, this will be a virtual event that people can watch online and on television.
20Many of the traditional speeches and warm wishes that go along with an inauguration will also be completed online.
21There will not be a special celebration, known as a ball, that night.
22That event will also happen online and on television.
23Organizers say the events will center around the subject "America United."
24Throughout his campaign for president, Biden has talked about being a president for all the people and has suggested he will seek to heal a nation divided by major political disputes.
25Hollywood actor Tom Hanks will host a special television event to welcome Biden to the White House.
26Musical performances will be given by Justin Timberlake, Jon Bon Jovi and Demi Lovato.
27Here is an example of how few people will attend the inauguration.
28Usually, each member of congress receives about 40 tickets to be given to friends and supporters from their states to attend.
29Under that system, at least 20,000 special visitors were invited to come to the inauguration.
30This year, each member of congress gets only two tickets.
31That adds up to just over 1000 guests.
32In most years, people without tickets were permitted to watch the ceremony on the National Mall, the large public area that stretches from the Capitol Building to the Lincoln Memorial.
33But this year, the National Park Service is urging people to stay home.
34The Washington Monument, the famous centerpiece that rises above the Mall, will be closed.
35There will, however, be a representation of all of the people who usually attend the inauguration.
36There will be nearly 200,000 U.S. flags planted in the ground, along with a display of 56 high-powered lights.
37The lights will represent the U.S. states and territories.
38One person is definitely staying home: President Donald Trump.
39The outgoing leader who was impeached for the second time last week has said he will not attend.
40Vice President Mike Pence will be there.
41So will former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.
42Biden will lead the small group to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
43Tony Allen is in charge of Biden's inaugural committee.
44He said the goal of this year's inaugural activities is to show the nation "that we are stronger together than we are apart."
45Biden is set to take the oath of office on January 20 at noon.
46I'm John Russell.
1Hundreds of thousands of people normally attend a new American president's inauguration. But the first day of Joe Biden's presidency will be very different. 2Because of the coronavirus crisis, the official presidential swearing-in ceremony - to be held January 20 - was already going to be more low-key. 3But after the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, heightened security measures will also be in place and crowds will be further limited. A high-security area is being established around the Capitol, the White House and the National Mall. 4The U.S. Secret Service is in charge of the inauguration. Michael Plati is the agent in charge. He said to help deal with possible security threats, there will be increased communication between local and federal police. His agency will also cooperate closely with the Department of Defense and Homeland Security officials. 5Plati said he sees the inauguration and the attack on the U.S. Capitol as two very different events. For example, he said the inauguration is planned far in advance. Unlike what happened at the Capitol on January 6, agencies have plans in place to prevent possible violence. 6In addition to local and federal police officers, there will be 10,000 National Guard soldiers on duty. 7Earlier, the coronavirus was the main concern ahead of this year's inauguration. Now, the combination of possible violence and the continued spread of the virus across the U.S. will make this one of the most unusual inaugurations ever. 8There will be no large crowds. President-elect Biden will make his way from the Capitol to the White House, but it will not be in the usual public parade. Instead, this will be a virtual event that people can watch online and on television. 9Many of the traditional speeches and warm wishes that go along with an inauguration will also be completed online. There will not be a special celebration, known as a ball, that night. That event will also happen online and on television. 10Organizers say the events will center around the subject "America United." Throughout his campaign for president, Biden has talked about being a president for all the people and has suggested he will seek to heal a nation divided by major political disputes. 11Hollywood actor Tom Hanks will host a special television event to welcome Biden to the White House. Musical performances will be given by Justin Timberlake, Jon Bon Jovi and Demi Lovato. 12Here is an example of how few people will attend the inauguration. Usually, each member of congress receives about 40 tickets to be given to friends and supporters from their states to attend. 13Under that system, at least 20,000 special visitors were invited to come to the inauguration. This year, each member of congress gets only two tickets. That adds up to just over 1000 guests. 14In most years, people without tickets were permitted to watch the ceremony on the National Mall, the large public area that stretches from the Capitol Building to the Lincoln Memorial. 15But this year, the National Park Service is urging people to stay home. The Washington Monument, the famous centerpiece that rises above the Mall, will be closed. 16There will, however, be a representation of all of the people who usually attend the inauguration. There will be nearly 200,000 U.S. flags planted in the ground, along with a display of 56 high-powered lights. The lights will represent the U.S. states and territories. 17One person is definitely staying home: President Donald Trump. The outgoing leader who was impeached for the second time last week has said he will not attend. 18Vice President Mike Pence will be there. So will former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Biden will lead the small group to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 19Tony Allen is in charge of Biden's inaugural committee. He said the goal of this year's inaugural activities is to show the nation "that we are stronger together than we are apart." 20Biden is set to take the oath of office on January 20 at noon. 21I'm John Russell. 22Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English based on reporting from the Associated Press and VOA. Bryan Lynn was the editor. 23______________________________________________________________ 24Words in This Story 25low-key - adj. quiet and relaxed; not noticeable 26virtual - adj. using computer and internet technology to conduct activities normally carried out in person 27in advance - n. before a particular time 28host - n. to be the host, or organizer, of an event 29display - n. a collection of objects placed for people to look at 30wreath - n. an arrangement of leaves or flowers in the shape of a circle 31oath - n. a formal and serious promise to tell the truth or to do something 32We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.