Inauguration Day 2021 Black Photos As Joe Biden, Kamala Harris Get Sworn-In

America is officially under new leadership after the historic inauguration of Joe Biden, the 46th president of the United States, and Kamala Harris, the first-ever Black woman vice president. Each of them was joined by their respective families as well as a veritable who’s who in American politics, including past presidents — except for Donald Trump, who left D.C. on Wednesday with his tail between his legs and as a sore loser who refused to accept the results of the election. Trump’s absence from the inauguration did not distract from those who were actually in attendance, including Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton and their wives, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton, respectively.

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South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, who was part of a large Congressional contingency at the Inauguration, was seen wearing a South Carolina State University baseball cap in what could have been a nod to the outsized involvement of HBCUs for the day. Not only was the drumline from Howard University — Kamala Harris’ undergrad alma mater — escorting the newly installed vice president during the inauguration’s virtual parade, but there were several other HBCU bands that performed the night before during Tuesday night’s “We Are One” celebration aimed at honoring the Black community and the African Diaspora. Not to be outdone, Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman, widely hailed for his heroics during the attempted Capitol coup, was on Wednesday officially rewarded twofold for his remarkable valor. First, Goodman was selected to escort Kamala Harris at the inauguration. But secondly, Goodman was promoted to acting deputy House Sergeant at Arms, a position that afforded him the right to escort Harris. As the country moves on from a failed presidential administration, scroll down to see a sampling of some noteworthy moments in photos from Inauguration Day 2021.

1. Kamala Harris is sworn in

2. The Obamas pose for a selfie

3. Kamala Harris looks on during the inauguration

4. Former President Barack Obama and former First lady Michele Obama arrive

5. Secretary of Defense nominee Lloyd Austin

6. Texas Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee

7. Rep. Jim Clyburn

8. Sen. Cory Booker and Rosario Dawson

9. The first and second families greet America

(from left) Doug Emhoff, Kamala Harris, Jill Biden and Joe Biden wave.

10. National youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman arrives

11. Alabama Rep. Terri Sewell

12. The Obamas presiding

13. Michelle Obama with a shout out

14. The Second Couple

Kamala Harris and husband Doug Emhoff arrive.

15. Greeting Obama

Kamala Harris and husband Doug Emhoff greet former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as they arrive at the inauguration.

16. Kamala Harris greets Vice President Mike Pence

17. Joe Biden Sworn In As 46th President Of The United States At U.S. Capitol Inauguration Ceremony

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 20: Former U.S. President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama arrive to the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. During today’s inauguration ceremony Joe Biden becomes the 46th president of the United States. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) photography,horizontal,usa,adult,arrival,women,politics,government,barack obama,us president,washington dc,ceremony,michelle obama,former,election,democracy,joseph biden,inauguration into office,presidential inauguration,politics and government,capitol building – washington dc

18. U.S. Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman

19. Dubya with the Obamas

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22. Presidential fist bumps

Vice President Kamala Harris celebrates with Joe Biden after being sworn in.

23. The future in the present

24. The Obamas and Donna Brazile

25. Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman

26. Reverend Dr. Silvester Beaman delivers the benediction