Second inauguration of Barack Obama
The second inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States was the 57th inauguration, marking the commencement of his second and final term, with Joe Biden as vice president. A private swearing-in ceremony took place on Sunday, January 20, 2013, in the Blue Room of the White House, followed by a public inauguration ceremony on Monday, January 21, 2013, at the West Front of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Barack Obama takes the oath of office for his second term. | |
| Date | January 20, 2013 (official) January 21, 2013 (public) |
|---|---|
| Location | Obama: Blue Room, White House (official) Biden: Number One Observatory Circle, United States Naval Observatory (official) Both: United States Capitol, Washington, D.C. (public) |
| Organized by | Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies |
| Participants | Barack Obama 44th president of the United States — Assuming office John Roberts Chief Justice of the United States — Administering oath Joe Biden 47th vice president of the United States — Assuming office Sonia Sotomayor Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States —Administering oath |
The inauguration theme, "Faith in America's Future," commemorated the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and the completion of the Capitol dome in 1863. This theme emphasized the perseverance and unity of the United States, reflecting the "Forward" theme employed during the closing months of Obama's reelection campaign. Inaugural events in Washington, D.C., from January 19 to 21, 2013, featured concerts, a national day of community service on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the swearing-in ceremony, a luncheon and parade, inaugural balls, and an interfaith inaugural prayer service. Chief Justice of the United States John G. Roberts administered the presidential oath to Obama during the swearing-in ceremonies on January 20 and 21, 2013.
In his second inauguration address, Obama proclaimed that "while freedom is a gift from God, it must be secured by His people here on Earth". He called for laws to combat climate change, enactment of immigration reform and gun control. Obama stated that more progress was needed on human rights and civil rights (including racial minority rights, women's rights, and LGBT rights). He vowed to promote democracy abroad and stated that the United States must "be a source of hope to the poor, the sick, the marginalized, the victims of prejudice" around the world. Additionally, the president vowed to keep existing alliances strong, emphasized the economic recovery and the end of wars, and stated that "no one has a greater stake in a peaceful world than its most powerful nation". During the speech, Obama linked the Seneca Falls Convention, Selma to Montgomery marches and Stonewall riots.
Approximately one million people attended the inauguration, and millions more watched from around the world.