The 2009 presidential inauguration of Barack Obama will take place on January 20, 2009, under the provisions of the Twentieth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The inauguration will mark the commencement of the four-year term of Barack Obama and Joe Biden as President and Vice President, respectively. The inauguration is expected to draw a record-setting crowd of over two million people. The theme of the inauguration is "A New Birth of Freedom," commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln.
The program by the Congressional leaders includes music by vocalist Aretha Franklin, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Itzhak Perlman, pianist Gabriela Montero and clarinetist Anthony McGill. Some of the musical selections are by composer John Williams. Poet Elizabeth Alexander will speak. Other inauguration participants include the "The President's Own" (the United States Marine Band) and the United States Navy Band. The San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus will also perform. Evangelical pastor Rick Warren is scheduled to deliver the invocation,while civil rights activist Joseph Lowery of the United Methodist Church is scheduled to deliver the benediction for the inaugural ceremony. (Wikipedia)
