2009 Inauguration Day Schedule

In fact, 2009 will see an inauguration day like none other, as millions descend upon Washington D.C. on January 20. Here is a list of the times and schedule for the inauguration of our 44th President, Barack Obama (naturally all times are approximate).

All times are EST.

8:25 AM: The Obamas leave Blair House for a prayer service at St. John's Episcopal Church

8:35 AM: Prayer service

9:45 AM: Church service ends; the Obamas depart for the White House

10:05 AM: The Obamas arrive at White House for coffee with the Bushes

11 AM: The motorcade departs for the Capitol

11:30 AM: The Bushes and the Obamas proceed to platform on the West Front; California Senator Dianne Feinstein will issue the call to order and deliver brief welcoming remarks, followed by an invocation from Dr. Rick Warren and a performance from Aretha Franklin (who also sang at Bill Clinton's first inauguration)

11:50 AM: Joe Biden is sworn in as vice president by Supreme Court Justice John Stevens

12 PM: Barack Obama is sworn in as president by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. Obama, with his hand on Abraham Lincoln's inaugural Bible, will recite the same oath as his predecessors: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." Musical performance from John Williams, Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Gabriela Montero and Anthony McGill, followed by "Hail to the Chief" and a 21-gun salute

12:05 PM: Inaugural address, followed by a poem written and recited by Elizabeth Alexander and a benediction from Dr. Joseph Lowery. The national anthem will be performed by the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters

12:30 PM: Ceremony concludes

12:35 PM: Bush departs via helicopter; Cheney departs by limo

12:45 PM: Obama signs inauguration papers in the President's Room

1:00 PM: Obama attends congressional luncheon

2:15 PM: Obama and Biden review troops at Capitol

2:30 PM: President Obama leads the parade from the Capitol along Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House

3:15 PM: Arrival at the White House

3:45 PM: Obamas and Bidens proceed to the reviewing stand; inaugural parade continues until 6 PM

7 PM: The official inaugural balls begin with the Neighborhood Ball at the Washington Convention Center, with performers scheduled to include Mary J. Blige, Beyonce, Faith Hill, Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Shakira and more, with Nick Cannon as DJ.