Inauguration 2013 Explore NPR's coverage of Barack Obama's second presidential inauguration.

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Inauguration 2013

Explore NPR's coverage of Barack Obama's second presidential inauguration.

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Divine Rhetoric: God In The Inaugural Address

George Washington referred to "that Almighty Being" during his inaugural address in 1789. "God" didn't show up in an inaugural speech until more than three decades later. AP hide caption

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Divine Rhetoric: God In The Inaugural Address

January 22, 2013 • George Washington invoked the Almighty, but the word "God" wasn't used in an inaugural address until James Monroe. Since then, few presidents have missed the opportunity to put God in their inaugural speeches.

The Inaugural Ball: Thousands Of Dresses Searching For An Experience

President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama attend an inaugural ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Monday night. Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

The Inaugural Ball: Thousands Of Dresses Searching For An Experience

January 21, 2013 • The inaugural ball is sort of a strange event — it's not really fancy, but everyone treats it like it is. People are determined to have the experience be special, even if the surroundings aren't.

Resolute Rhetoric: Obama's Confident Case For Government

President Obama delivers his second inaugural address Monday in Washington. Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Resolute Rhetoric: Obama's Confident Case For Government

January 21, 2013 • Though wrung of much of the drama of his historic first inauguration, President Obama's efficient, specific and, at times, soaring address outshone his first with allusions to Lincoln, King and Kennedy. Speech experts and presidential historians weigh in on Obama's words and delivery.

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'Not Going To See This Again': Obama's Poignant Pause To Look Back At Crowd

President Obama, as he paused to look back at the crowd before going into the Capitol. C-SPAN.org hide caption

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C-SPAN.org

'Not Going To See This Again': Obama's Poignant Pause To Look Back At Crowd

January 21, 2013 • As he walked up the steps and back into the Capitol today following his inaugural address, President Obama stoppedand turned around to look back. "I want to take a look," he could be heard saying, because "I'm not going to see this again."

'Aggressive' Obama Defends Entitlements, Highlights Social Issues

President Obama gives his inaugural address after taking the oath of office Monday. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

'Aggressive' Obama Defends Entitlements, Highlights Social Issues

January 21, 2013 • President Obama began his second term with an unapologetically liberal inaugural address, calling on Americans to work together to preserve entitlements, address climate change and extend civil rights. Conservative and libertarian observers noted an "aggressive" approach to the speech.

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Transcript And Audio: Barack Obama's Second Inaugural Address

January 21, 2013 • "That is our generation's task — to make these words, these rights, these values — of Life, and Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness — real for every American," President Barack Obama said during his speech.

Listen To Barack Obama's Second Inaugural Address

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A Look At Memorable Moments From Past Inaugurations

January 21, 2013 • Stories of complications and quotations abound, from Nixon's second inauguration till today.

A Look At Memorable Moments From Past Inaugurations

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A Chilly, Musical Morning As Inauguration Crowds Gather

January 21, 2013 • Staten Island's PS22 student choral group performs as people file onto the National Mall hoping for a glimpse of President Obama later.

A Chilly, Musical Morning As Inauguration Crowds Gather

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Inauguration Day's Symbolism And Substance

January 21, 2013 • Besides President Obama's oath and address, Monday's festivities will include an invocation by Myrlie Evers-Williams, Vice President Joe Biden's oath and poet Richard Blanco. Looking ahead to Obama's second term, politics in Washington seems as broken and gridlocked as ever.

Inauguration Day's Symbolism And Substance

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Taking A Train From Chicago To D.C. For Obama's Big Day

January 21, 2013 • A group of women traveled 18 hours by train from Chicago to Washington, D.C., for Inauguration Day. We hear about why they and others decided to attend this year's festivities, which fall on Martin Luther King Day.

Taking A Train From Chicago To D.C. For Obama's Big Day

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Smaller Crowds At Capitol, But 2009's Enthusiasm Persists

January 21, 2013 • Four years ago, the National Mall was packed with record crowds. People gathering as President Obama prepares to take the oath of office and deliver a second inaugural address share some of the same sentiments as the crowds from 2009. But the crowds — and the vendors — are less numerous.

Smaller Crowds At Capitol, But 2009's Enthusiasm Persists

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Themes Of Unity And Dissent At Obama's 2nd Inauguration

January 21, 2013 • NPR hosts and correspondents check in at the Capitol as Inauguration Day festivities get under way.

Themes Of Unity And Dissent At Obama's 2nd Inauguration

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People gather near the U.S. Capitol for the inauguration ceremony on Monday. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

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Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Inauguration 2013: Live NPR Chat

January 21, 2013 • Join "It's All Politics" blogger Frank James and other NPR journalists to talk about the day's events and the issues coming up in President Obama's second term.

People wave American flags as they gather on the National Mall for the inauguration ceremony Monday. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

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Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Inauguration 2013: Live Coverage

January 21, 2013 • See what NPR users want President Obama to remember in his second term — then send us your own thoughts. And chat with NPR reporters about the day's events and the issues looming in Obama's second term.

What Now? Obama Leads Polarized Government Into Second Term

As a second-term president, Barack Obama necessarily generates less excitement than he did as a newcomer. Above, flags flew during his 2009 inauguration. Eric Purcell/FlickrVision via Getty Images hide caption

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Eric Purcell/FlickrVision via Getty Images

It's All Politics

What Now? Obama Leads Polarized Government Into Second Term

January 21, 2013 • Unlike with his first swearing-in, Barack Obama does not face two ongoing wars and an economy on the verge of collapse. But thorny issues remain, and there's less hope than there was four years ago that Obama can bend Washington to his will.

As It Happened: Obama Asks Americans To Carry 'Light Of Freedom'

President Obama taking the oath of office today on the steps of the Capitol. First Lady Michelle Obama held the two Bibles on which he placed his hand. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption

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Alex Wong/Getty Images

The Two-Way

As It Happened: Obama Asks Americans To Carry 'Light Of Freedom'

January 21, 2013 • "Being true to our founding documents does not require us to agree on every contour of life; it does not mean we will all define liberty in exactly the same way, or follow the same precise path to happiness," he says. "But it does require us to act in our time."

NPR Special Coverage: 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

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Inaugural Parade Begins At The Pentagon, Moves To D.C.

January 21, 2013 • After George Washington took his oath of office he was joined by a procession made up of local militias as he made his way from Mount Vernon to New York City. These days, the parade is a colorful blend of marching bands, floats and different organizations — led by ceremonial military regiments.

Inaugural Parade Begins At The Pentagon, Moves To D.C.

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Crowds Begin Converging On Washington, D.C.

January 21, 2013 • Morning Edition has a team of reporters spread out across the city, getting a feel for how things are going in different areas. Thousands of people are descending on the nation's capital to be a part of President Obama's second inauguration.

Crowds Begin Converging On Washington, D.C.

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Much Has Changed Since Obama's 1st Inauguration

January 21, 2013 • President Obama's second inauguration is not expected to have record-setting crowds. Also, the president is not the same man as he was four years ago.

Much Has Changed Since Obama's 1st Inauguration

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Inauguration Events Share Day With King Holiday

January 21, 2013 • Regular Morning Edition contributor Cokie Roberts discusses what she expects to hear in President Obama's second inaugural address, and how it can set the tone for his second term.

Inauguration Events Share Day With King Holiday

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Obama, Biden Take Oaths On Sunday

January 21, 2013 • President Obama will be sworn in for a second term with fanfare at noon Monday, but the official swearing in was Sunday. Obama's second inauguration is a smaller affair than four years ago. But hundreds of thousands of people have come to Washington, D.C. nonetheless.

Obama, Biden Take Oaths On Sunday

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Pedicabs Cash In On Inauguration Traffic

January 21, 2013 • With huge crowds expected in Washington, D.C., dozens of pedicab drivers have come to town to take advantage of the president's swearing in. Mike Kowalczyk of Newport, Rhode Island, told WTOP he's a little worried about directions. He said he got lost his first night in the nation's capital.

Pedicabs Cash In On Inauguration Traffic

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Obama 'Suits Up' For Inauguration Day

January 21, 2013 • All eyes will be on the First Lady Michelle Obama's fashion choices at Monday's inaugural events. Presidential fashions do make history — think Ronald Reagan's brown suits, or Jimmy Carter's cardigans.

Obama 'Suits Up' For Inauguration Day

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Myrlie Evers-Williams To Deliver Inaugural Invocation

January 21, 2013 • The widow of a slain Mississippi civil rights leader Medgar Evars will help open the inaugural ceremony Monday. President Obama has selected activist Myrlie Evers-Williams to deliver the invocation. She's the first woman and lay person to have the honor.

Myrlie Evers-Williams To Deliver Inaugural Invocation

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Barack Obama arrives at his 2009 inauguration to become the 44th president of the United States. Getty Images hide caption

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It's All Politics

Inaugural Trivia Quiz

January 20, 2013 • How many presidents have chosen to affirm (rather than swear) to "faithfully execute the office ... "? Try your hand at inaugural trivia.