“Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed.” — Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence
Since the torch has been passed from Bush to Obama, I decided to follow the three branches of the US government on Twitter.
9:00 a.m. VIPs begin arriving
- Former Presidents
- Governors
- Members of the House of Representatives
- United States Senators
- Cabinet designees 9:45 a.m. Platform seating begins 11:03 a.m. Former Presidents announced and seated 11:12 a.m. Biden family announced and seated 11:14 a.m. Obama family announced and seated 11:16 a.m. Mrs. Bush and Mrs. Cheney announced and seated 11:18 a.m. Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden announced and seated 11:20 a.m. President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney announced and seated 11:22 a.m. Vice President-elect Joe Biden announced and seated 11:25 a.m. President-elect Barack Obama is announced and seated 11:30 a.m. Senator Feinstein delivers opening remarks 11:34 a.m. Senator Feinstein introduces Pastor Rick Warren 11:35 a.m. Invocation by Pastor Rick Warren 11:37 a.m. Senator Feinstein introduces Aretha Franklin 11:38 a.m. Aretha Franklin “My Country Tis of Thee” 11:42 a.m. Senator Feinstein introduces Senator Bennett 11:44 a.m. Senator Bennett introduces Associate Justice Stevens 11:46 a.m. Vice Presidential Oath administered by Associate Justice Stevens 11:47 a.m. Senator Feinstein introduces performers 11:48 a.m. Yo-Yo Ma, Anthony McGill, Gabriela Montero, Itzhak Perlman “Air and Simple Gifts” composed by John Williams 11:53 a.m. Senator Feinstein introduces Chief Justice Roberts 11:54 a.m. Chief Justice and President-elect Barack Obama move to podium 11:56 a.m. The Presidential oath is administered. 11:57 a.m. Herald Trumpets perform 4 “Ruffles and Flourishes” and the U.S. Marine Corp
Band plays “Hail to the Chief.” Twenty one gun salute. 11:58 a.m. Senator Feinstein introduces the President 12:01 p.m. Inaugural address 12:21 p.m. Senator Feinstein introduces poet Elizabeth Alexander 12:27 p.m. Benediction given by Reverend Joseph Lowery 12:31 p.m. Presidential party departs from platform 12:32 p.m. Departure ceremony 12:36 p.m. President and Mrs. Bush depart from the East plaza in helicopter 12:52 p.m. President’s Room signing ceremony 1:05 p.m. Statuary Hall luncheon 2:32 p.m. Review of the troops 2:36 p.m. President and Mrs. Obama, and Vice President and Dr. Biden leaves with parade