image copyrightReuters
Joe Biden is officially president, Kamala Harris is the country’s first Madam Vice-President and Donald Trump flew off to play golf – all of that we expected.
Here’s a look at inauguration day’s more offbeat moments you might have missed.
Katy Perry’s Firework
Hard to find any dry eyes or downbeat comments after the closing epic in front of the Washington Monument.
Although Firework has drawn many interpretations, from sex to firework safety to LGBT rights, it seemed a pretty good fit here.
The exploding background didn’t do any harm, but the lyrics weren’t too off track either.
“Do you ever feel like a plastic bag/Drifting through the wind, wanting to start again?”
Well-known Twitch streamer hasanabi tweeted “katy perry is right, trump DID make me feel like plastic bag!”
Oh and the song swept back into the US iTunes chart of course.
Bernie’s mittens
Pictures of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders bundled up in Washington’s near-freezing weather quickly made the rounds on social media.
image copyrightTasos KatopodisMany pointed out, and initially made fun of, his patterned brown wool mittens. It turns out there’s a sweet story behind his distinctive (and sustainable) winter wear. The mittens were reportedly made by a schoolteacher from his home state, using repurposed wool sweaters and recycled plastic bottles.
The teacher, Jen Ellis, was surprised to see the senator wearing them on the campaign trail last year.
As the former challenger of Mr Biden during the Democratic primaries, many were quick to joke that Mr Sanders must be in a foul mood sitting at his rival’s inauguration. It didn’t take long for the senator to become a viral internet meme.
And according to his wife, Jane O’Meara Sanders, the senator’s jacket also has a Vermont connection. The snowboard company Burton manufactured a limited edition coat with Mr Sanders’ face on the back. Mr Sanders liked it so much, he got one (without his face on it) for Christmas.
A historic fist bump
Barack Obama – the country’s first black president – exchanged an inauguration day fist bump with Kamala Harris, now the country’s first black vice-president.
The moment was celebrated online as a historic passing of the torch between the two political trailblazers, the only black Americans in history elected to serve in the White House.
BYOB (Bring your own blanket)
Mr Sanders wasn’t the only one dressed for the cold.
Janet Yellen, President Biden’s choice for treasury secretary, was pictured at the Capitol Hill event wearing a black parka, a face mask and black gloves, while wrapped snugly in a blanket.
The wardrobe choice won the expert economist admiration as a practical type of fashion icon in the Covid era.
Ms Yellen’s appointment is expected to be approved, meaning the US will soon have its first female treasury secretary.
Eugene Goodman escorts the vice-president
What a wild two weeks for our country but especially for people like Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman.
On Jan 6, he put his life on the line when he lured insurrectionists away from Senators and staff.
Two weeks later, he’s escorting VPE Kamala Harris into the US Capitol pic.twitter.com/zBKzQeJ3lR
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) January 20, 2021
Vice-president Kamala Harris had a special security escort today: Capitol Police officer Eugene Goodman.
Mr Goodman has been hailed as a hero after his actions during the storming of Capitol Hill earlier this month. Footage from inside the deadly insurrection shows the officer singlehandedly steering a mob away from the Senate chamber, while the lawmakers hid inside.
His actions reportedly gave the lawmakers a chance to escape the chamber and move to a secure location before the rioters could enter.
Mr Goodman accompanied Ms Harris in his new role as deputy Senate sergeant-at-arms. In addition to the job promotion, a bipartisan trio of lawmakers have introduced a bill to award Mr Goodman with the Congressional Gold Medal for his bravery.
Amanda Gorman for president?
We knew to expect poet Amanda Gorman in the inauguration line-up, but we did not know how much she would resonate with people around the world.
“When day comes, we ask ourselves where can we find light in this never-ending shade?” began Ms Gorman, the country’s youngest ever inaugural poet.
At today’s celebration, the 22-year-old performed her poem titled “The Hill We Climb” – penned after the Capitol riots. The writer and performer became the country’s first national youth poet laureate in 2017.
Today, the self-described “skinny black girl, descended from slaves… [who] can dream of becoming president” has found “herself reciting for one”. But her ambitions don’t end there – according to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Ms Gorman has promised a future presidential run of her own.
Melania’s outfit change
Two people were noticeably absent from the inauguration – former President Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump.
As Mr Biden took the oath of office in Washington, the Trumps landed in West Palm Beach, Florida. Social media users were quick to point out that Mrs Trump appeared to have quickly updated her wardrobe to suit her new, post-First Lady life.
image copyrightGetty ImagesAfter donning a sombre black coat and large dark sunglasses as she left the White House, Mrs Trump made a mid-flight outfit change to a bright, multi-coloured pattern dress.
The stark difference between the two ensembles led some to speculate that Mrs Trump is looking forward to shedding the duties – and the clothing – of first lady. Others noted her bright smile after touching down in Florida – an apparent contrast to how she looked at her husband’s inauguration four years ago.
