WASHINGTON – Because of a quirk in the calendar, US President Barack Obama will
recite his official oath of office for a second term Sunday, out of public view,
before repeating the act for hundreds of thousands of spectators on
Monday.
The US Constitution requires that the inauguration take place on
January 20, but because that date falls on a Sunday this year, when federal
offices are closed, there will be only a private event that day with the
tradition public version conducted the next day.
Accordingly, on Sunday
morning, Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will participate in official
swearings-in at their homes, the White House and the Naval Observatory,
respectively. The swearings-in will be proceeded by an official wreath-laying
ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in nearby Virginia. Later Sunday, there
will be an inaugural reception where both men will deliver remarks.
On
Monday, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will re-administer the oaths on
the steps of the Capitol before assembled dignitaries, the press and a crowd
expected to number close to one million spectators, far fewer than attended in
2008. Obama will then deliver his second inaugural address.
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