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Showing posts with label Kamala Harris. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kamala Harris. Show all posts

Monday, July 22, 2024

News and Weather Briefing for Monday, July 22, 2024
President Biden Drops Out of Presidential Race



Here is the news and weather briefing for Macon County.

GENERAL OUTLOOK

A nearly stationary front will meander across our region for the next several days providing a focus for above-normal chances of mainly afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures will be near normal or just a bit cooler than normal.


• Extreme, severe drought expands in parts of North Carolina [Macon Media]




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Local Weather

General Forecast Through Wednesday Night





Franklin Area

Today

Isolated showers before noon, then scattered showers and thunderstorms between noon and 4pm, then showers are likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with highs in the low-to-mid 80s. Calm winds. The chance of rain is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then isolated showers. Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with lows in the mid 60s. Calm winds. The chance of rain is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday

Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Highs in the mid 80s. Calm winds. The chance of rain is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 8pm and 11pm. Lows in the mid-to-upper 60s. Calm winds. The chance of rain is 80%.

Wednesday

Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. Highs in the lower 80s. The chance of rain is 80%.

Wednesday Night

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 9pm, then showers and thunderstorms are likely between 9pm and 11pm, then showers are likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 11pm. Lows in the mid-to-upper 60s. The chance of rain is 80%.


Highlands Plateau

Today

Isolated showers before noon, then scattered showers and thunderstorms between noon and 5pm, then showers are likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with highs in the mid 70s. Calm winds in the morning increasing to come out of the southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. The chance of rain is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then isolated showers. Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with lows around 60. Winds out of the southwest around 5 mph becoming calm before midnight. The chance of rain is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Patchy fog before 9am. Highs in the mid 70s. Light and variable winds. The chance of rain is 80%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Tuesday Night

Showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then showers are likely and possibly a thunderstorm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the low-to-mid 60s. Calm winds. The chance of rain is 80%.

Wednesday

Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. Highs in the mid 70s. The chance of rain is 80%.

Wednesday Night

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Lows in the mid 60s. The chance of rain is 80%.


Otto and South Central Macon County

Today

Isolated showers before noon, then scattered showers and thunderstorms between noon and 5pm, then showers are likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with highs near 80. Light and variable winds. The chance of rain is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Patchy fog after 2am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with lows in the mid 60s. Calm winds. The chance of rain is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday

Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Highs near 80. Light winds out of the southwest. The chance of rain is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night

Showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then showers are likely and possibly a thunderstorm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the mid-to-upper 60s. Calm winds. The chance of rain is 80%.

Wednesday

Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. Highs near 80. The chance of rain is 80%.

Wednesday Night

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 10pm, then showers and thunderstorms are likely, then showers are likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 11pm. Lows in the upper 60s. The chance of rain is 80%.


Nantahala Area



Today

Isolated showers before noon, then scattered showers and thunderstorms between noon and 2pm, then showers are likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with highs in the mid 70s. Light winds out of the southwest. The chance of rain is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with lows in the lower 60s. Calm winds. The chance of rain is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday

Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Highs in the upper 70s. Light winds out of the southwest. The chance of rain is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday Night

Showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then showers are likely and possibly a thunderstorm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the mid 60s. Calm winds. The chance of rain is 80%.

Wednesday

Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. Highs in the mid 70s. The chance of rain is 80%.

Wednesday Night

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Lows in the mid 60s. The chance of rain is 80%.


 

Hazards



Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected to develop across the area this afternoon and evening. The main threats will be from frequent cloud to ground lightning and torrential rainfall. However, a few storms could briefly become strong and produce isolated gusty winds. In addition, excessive rainfall could occur in isolated locations, resulting in flash flooding of streams and urban areas.





Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
200 AM EDT Mon Jul 22 2024

For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:

Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 7 days.




Pollen

Pollen levels are expected to be in the low-medium range (2.9 out of 12) today with Grasses, Plantain, and Nettle being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be in the low-medium range (1.5 out of 12.0).



Record Weather Events for July 22nd

Record weather events for this date in Macon County
(1872-2016)

Highest Temperature 97°F in Franklin in 1952
Lowest Temperature 46°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1947
Greatest One-Day Rain 2.24 inches in Highlands in 1979
Greatest One-Day Snowfall (no snowfall has been recorded on this date since record-keeping began in 1871)

Weather Extremes for Macon County for the month of July Data available from 1872

Highest Temperature 101°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station on 06-30-2012
Lowest Temperature 32°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station on 06-02-1966
Greatest Rainfall 7.63 inches in Highlands on 06-16-1949
Greatest Snowfall (no snowfall has been recorded during June in Macon County)

Record Weather Events for July 22nd in North Carolina

Highest Temperature 107°F in Fayetteville, Cumberland County in 1932
Lowest Temperature 40°F in Banner Elk, Avery County in 1909
Greatest One-Day Snowfall (no snowfall has been recorded on this date since 1872)

Weather Extremes for North Carolina for the month of July Data available from 1872

Highest Temperature 109°F in Albemarle, Stanly County on 07-28-1940
Lowest Temperature 32°F in Celo, Yancey County on 07-10-1961
Greatest Rainfall 21.15 inches in Highlands, Macon County on 07-29-1879
Greatest Snowfall (no snowfall has been recorded during June in the state)






Macon Calendar
(send your event to calendar@maconmedia.com)

Music Lineup for Friends of the Greenway, Inc.

Frog Quarters Music Schedule (located at 573 East Main Street in Franklin)

July 2024 Schedule

7-27-24—Charlie Simmons & Paul Linser--Two accomplished finger-style guitar pickers that have some great songs in their line-up. You'll love their acoustic sound! Their music will take you from the ranges of the Midwest to the Southeastern region of the country. Welcome back, guys.

For other Music and News follow us on Facebook at Friends of the Greenway, Inc. and Instagram at friends_of_the_greenway_inc. To find out more about the Greenway and our organization, our website is: littletennessee.org.

Frog Quarters is open 9a to 2p, Wednesdays thru Saturdays—beside the River Bridge. We are the Non-Profit supporting the Greenway with monies from sales from our Coffee & Gift Shop, Memberships and Donations. As always, thank you for your support!



Mountain Findings
432 Spruce Street (physical)
Highlands, North Carolina 28741
Web: MountainFindings.org

Mountain Findings (a thrift store) is open every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm until October 2023.









News Briefing


---NATIONAL---


---2024 ELECTION ROUNDUP--- 

Special Report: Examining the 2024 election as Biden exits the race | NBC News



Biden drops reelection bid, upending 2024 race | CBS News



What led to Biden dropping out of presidential race, endorsing Kamala Harris | CBS News



Trump responds to Biden dropping out of presidential election | ABC News



Biden backs VP Harris after dropping out of presidential race | DW News



Timeline: The end of Biden's 2024 presidential campaign | ABC News



• How the Bet on an 81-Year-Old Joe Biden Turned Into an Epic Miscalculation [Wall Street Journal]

• President Joe Biden drops out of 2024 presidential race [NBC News]

• Joe Biden drops out of the race and endorses Kamala Harris [Politico]

• Democrats hail Biden’s decision to not seek reelection as selfless. Republicans urge him to resign [AP News]

• Barack Obama Statement on Biden Leaving 2024 Race [Medium]

• Inside the Trump Campaign’s Hidden Ground Game Republican nominee’s get-out-the-vote effort has been shrouded in secrecy [Wall Street Journal]

• FAQ: Biden is dropping out of the 2024 race. How will Democrats pick a new presidential nominee? [Yahoo News]

• 'We love Hitler. We love Trump.' As Trump rallied in GR, white supremacists chanted in Howell [Livingston Daily]

International News Headlines

Spain set for protests over tourism | BBC News



Global leaders react to Biden‘s announcement to step back from presidential race | DW News



Bangladesh court scraps job quotas after deadly unrest | BBC News



IDF launches airstrikes inside Yemen | ABC News



• Evan Gershkovich: American journalist sentenced to 16 years in Russian prison after spying trial [Sky News]

• European Gas Falls to Lowest in a Week as Freeport LNG Restarts [Bloomberg]

• US election 2024 liveblog: Key Democrats back Kamala Harris as Biden drops out [Al Jazeera]

• Liveblog - Biden drops out of presidential race: Everything you need to know [Jerusalem Post]

• Research body from EU and NATO nation joins China-led ILRS moon project [South China Morning Post]

• Presidential office says S. Korea-U.S. alliance has 'bipartisan' support [Yonhap News Agency]

---PRO-RUSSIAN NEWS OUTLETS---

• Biden ‘mentally unfit’ to have nuclear codes – top Republican [Russia Today]

• US journalist Evan Gershkovich sentenced to 16 years for espionage Evan Gershkovich's only hope now is Donald Trump's election victory [Pravda]

• West preparing for direct military conflict with Russia — Vucic [TASS: Russian News Agency]

Global National: July 21, 2024 | What’s next for Democrats after Biden drops out of election?



ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - July 21, 2024


"CBS Weekend News" Full Broadcast | July 21, 2024


NBC Nightly News Full Broadcast - July 21, 2024


PBS NewsHour full episode, (July 21, 2024)



---Science, Technology, Culture, and History News Roundup---

Woah! Scientists Created Tiny Machines Driven By Microbes | Antov Petrov



• Is the "Blaze Star" About to Blow? You May Be the First to Know [Sky and Telescope Magazine]

• The Sky This Week from July 12 to 19: An occultation in Virgo [Astronomy Magazine]

• This Week's Sky at a Glance, July 12 – 21 [Sky and Telescope Magazine]

• Meade and Orion Cease Operations — Maybe [Sky and Telescope Magazine]

Live Links With Friends July 15 2024 - Hardware, AI, Gov, Biz, You Name IT | Level1 Techs





Andrew Jackson & The 8 Year Reign of Terror Documentary | The People Profiles s



Blender Woes and Keyboard Pros | Linux Out Loud 93





• Windows 3.1 saves the day during CrowdStrike outage — Southwest Airlines scrapes by with archaic OS [tom's Hardware]

• CrowdStrike’s faulty update crashed 8.5 million Windows devices, says Microsoft / The global IT outage on Friday resulted from a sensor configuration update to CrowdStrike’s Falcon platform that caused a Windows logic error. [The verge]

• Malicious actors trying to exploit global tech outage for their own gain [AP News]

• Netflix ends its cheapest ad-free subscription [NPR]

• Link-Busters Sent a Billion DMCA Takedown Requests to Google Search [Torrent Freak]

• A 12-year-old girl is accused of smothering her 8-year-old cousin over an iPhone [ABC News]





On This Day

July 22nd is the 203rd day of the year (204th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar; 162 days remain until the end of the year.



Historical Events

(Please note that the Wikipedia articles often contain a bibliography and links to where you can learn more about a historical event)


811 – Byzantine emperor Nikephoros I plunders the Bulgarian capital of Pliska and captures Khan Krum's treasury.
• [Wikipedia: Battle of Pliska]
• [Wikipedia: First Bulgarian Empire]
• [Micahistory 2: The Battle of Pliska]
• [Kings and Generals: Pliska 811 - Byzantine - Bulgarian Wars]

1319 – A Knights Hospitaller fleet scores a crushing victory over an Aydinid fleet off Chios.
• [Wikipedia: Battle of Chios (1319)]

1632 – Three hundred colonists bound for New France depart from Dieppe, France.

1677 – Scanian War: Denmark–Norway captures the harbor town of Marstrand from Sweden.

1793 – Kingdom of Prussia re-conquers Mainz from France.

1813 – Sir Thomas Maitland is appointed as the first Governor of Malta, transforming the island from a British protectorate to a de facto colony.

1821 – While the Mora Rebellion continues, Greeks capture Monemvasia Castle. Turkish troops and citizens are transferred to Asia Minor's coasts.

1829 – In the United States, William Austin Burt patents the typographer, a precursor to the typewriter.

1840 – The Province of Canada is created by the Act of Union.

1862 – American Civil War: Henry Halleck takes command of the Union Army.

1874 – Aires de Ornelas e Vasconcelos is appointed the Archbishop of the Portuguese colonial enclave of Goa, India.

1881 – The Boundary Treaty of 1881 between Chile and Argentina is signed in Buenos Aires.

1885 – President Ulysses S. Grant dies of throat cancer.

1903 – The Ford Motor Company sells its first car.

1908 – The Second Constitution accepted by the Ottomans.

1914 – Austria-Hungary issues a series of demands in an ultimatum to the Kingdom of Serbia demanding Serbia to allow the Austrians to determine who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Serbia accepts all but one of those demands and Austria declares war on July 28.

1919 – Prince Regent Aleksander KaraÄ‘orÄ‘ević signs the decree establishing the University of Ljubljana

1921 – The Communist Party of China (CPC) is established at the founding National Congress.

1926 – Fox Film buys the patents of the Movietone sound system for recording sound onto film.

1927 – The first station of the Indian Broadcasting Company goes on the air in Bombay.

1936 – In Catalonia, Spain, the Unified Socialist Party of Catalonia is founded through the merger of Socialist and Communist parties.

1940 – The United States' Under Secretary of State Sumner Welles issues a declaration on the U.S. non-recognition policy of the Soviet annexation and incorporation of three Baltic states: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

1942 – World War II: The German offensives Operation Edelweiss and Operation Braunschweig begin.

1942 – Bulgarian poet and Communist leader Nikola Vaptsarov is executed by firing squad.

1943 – The Rayleigh bath chair murder occurred in Rayleigh, Essex, England.

1943 – World War II: The British destroyers HMS Eclipse and HMS Laforey sink the Italian submarine Ascianghi in the Mediterranean after she torpedoes the cruiser HMS Newfoundland.

1945 – The post-war legal processes against Philippe Pétain begin.

1952 – General Muhammad Naguib leads the Free Officers Movement (formed by Gamal Abdel Nasser, the real power behind the coup) in overthrowing King Farouk of Egypt.

1961 – The Sandinista National Liberation Front is founded in Nicaragua.

1962 – Telstar relays the first publicly transmitted, live trans-Atlantic television program, featuring Walter Cronkite.

1962 – The International Agreement on the Neutrality of Laos is signed.

1962 – Jackie Robinson becomes the first African American to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

1967 – Detroit Riots: In Detroit, one of the worst riots in United States history begins on 12th Street in the predominantly African American inner city. It ultimately kills 43 people, injures 342 and burns about 1,400 buildings.

1968 – Glenville shootout: In Cleveland, Ohio, a violent shootout between a Black Militant organization and the Cleveland Police Department occurs. During the shootout, a riot begins and lasts for five days.

1968 – The only successful hijacking of an El Al aircraft takes place when a Boeing 707 carrying ten crew and 38 passengers is taken over by three members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The aircraft was en route from Rome, to Lod, Israel.

1970 – Qaboos bin Said al Said becomes Sultan of Oman after overthrowing his father, Said bin Taimur initiating massive reforms, modernization programs and end to a decade long civil war.

1972 – The United States launches Landsat 1, the first Earth-resources satellite.

1974 – The Greek military junta collapses, and former Prime Minister Konstantinos Karamanlis is invited to lead the new government, beginning Greece's metapolitefsi era.

1980 – Phạm Tuân becomes the first Vietnamese citizen and the first Asian in space when he flies aboard the Soyuz 37 mission as an Intercosmos Research Cosmonaut.

1982 – Outside Santa Clarita, California, actor Vic Morrow and two children are killed when a helicopter crashes onto them while shooting a scene from Twilight Zone: The Movie.

1983 – Thirteen Sri Lanka Army soldiers are killed after a deadly ambush by the militant Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

1983 – Gimli Glider: Air Canada Flight 143 runs out of fuel and makes a deadstick landing at Gimli, Manitoba.

1988 – General Ne Win, effective ruler of Burma since 1962, resigns after pro-democracy protests.

1992 – A Vatican commission, led by Joseph Ratzinger, establishes that limiting certain rights of homosexual people and non-married couples is not equivalent to discrimination on grounds of race or gender.

1992 – Abkhazia declares independence from Georgia.

1995 – Comet Hale–Bopp is discovered; it becomes visible to the naked eye on Earth nearly a year later.

1997 – Digital Equipment Corporation files antitrust charges against chipmaker Intel.

1999 – ANA Flight 61 is hijacked in Tokyo, Japan by Yuji Nishizawa.

1999 – Space Shuttle Columbia launches on STS-93, with Eileen Collins becoming the first female space shuttle commander. The shuttle also carried and deployed the Chandra X-ray Observatory.

2005 – Three bombs explode in the Naama Bay area of Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, killing 88 people.

2010 – English-Irish boy band One Direction is formed by judge Simon Cowell on The X Factor (British series 7), later going on to finish at third place. It would go on to become one of the biggest boy bands in the world, and would be very influential on pop music of the 2010s.

2012 – The Solar storm of 2012 was an unusually large coronal mass ejection that was emitted by the Sun which barely missed the Earth by nine days. If it hit, it would have caused up to US$2.6 trillion in damages to electrical equipment worldwide.

2014 – TransAsia Airways Flight 222 crashes in Xixi village near Huxi, Penghu, during approach to Phengu Airport. 48 of the 58 people on board are killed and five more people on the ground are injured.

2015 – NASA announces discovery of Kepler-452b by Kepler.

2016 – Kabul twin bombing occurred in the vicinity of Deh Mazang when protesters, mostly from the Shiite Hazara minority, were marching against route changing of the TUTAP power project. At least 80 people were killed and 260 were injured.

2018 – A wildfire in East Attica, Greece caused the death of 102 people. It was the deadliest wildfire in history of Greece and the second-deadliest in the world, in the 21st century, after the 2009 bushfires in Australia that killed 180. Back to Top


Support Macon Media

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.



Become a Patron!



Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia


Published at 5:00am on Monday, July 221, 2024
Author: Bobby Coggins


Resources used to compile the information in this article include, but are not limited to rthe following websites or books: MaconMedia.com, youtube.com, weather.gov, airnow.gov, wikipedia.com, onthisday.com, ncdcr.gov, ncsu.edu, utah.edu, https://www.microbe.tv/twiv/, wolfram.com, biorxiv.org, aps.org, nejm.org, plos.org, cell.com, researchsquare.com, cureus.com, spc.noaa.gov, nhc.noaa.gov, ncdenr.org, medrxiv.org, archive.org, ncpedia.org, nasa.gov, https://ww2days.com, nih.gov, carolinapublicpress.org, microbe.tv, smokymountainnews.com, psypost.org, blogspot.com, pollen.com, franklinnc.com, maconnc.org, spaceweather.com, solarham.com, loc.gov, ncleg.net, senate.gov, house.gov, whitehouse.gov, drudgereport.com, politico.com, realclearpolitics.com, ushmm.org, This Day in North Carolina History, World War II Day By Day, The Holocaust Encyclopedia, The Timetables of History, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The World History and Book of Facts (multiple years), On This Day In History: Over 4,000 facts, The NASA Archives. 60 Years in Space, This Day in North Carolina History, The Smithsonian History of Space Exploration: From the Ancient World to the Extraterrestrial Future, Spaceflight, 2nd Edition: The Complete Story from Sputnik to Curiousity, The Story of Civilization (11 volumes), The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, American History, Volume 1: 1492-1877, American History, Volume 2: 1877 - Present, A Complete Chronolgy of the Second World War. Weather and Almanac data and information sources: Sources (except where otherwise credited): heavens-above.com, Ian Webster's Github, National Centers for Environmental Prediction, The National Weather Service, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, National Hurricane Center, Penn State University Electronic Wall Map, The State Climate Office of North Carolina, Storm Prediction Center, U.S. Naval Observatory, University of Utah Department of Atmospheric Sciences, and the Weather Prediction Center. 


Thursday, January 21, 2021

President Biden to Join Interfaith Leaders for 59th Inaugural National Prayer Service

Washington National Cathedral. Photo Credit: Public Domain 


President Biden will participate in an interfaith service scheduled to begin at 10:00am this morning (Thursday, January 21st). Details from the 59th Inauguration Committee about the service are posted below.

  A video player will be added once the event starts.




59th Inaugural National Prayer Service 

Bishop William J. Barber II to Deliver Homily, Josh Groban, Patti LaBelle, The Clark Sisters to Perform

WASHINGTON — Today, the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) and Washington National Cathedral announced the Virtual Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service on Thursday, January 21, at 10:00 AM ET. Then-President Joe Biden will join the virtual event hosted by the Washington National Cathedral, and the service will be livestreamed at https://bideninaugural.org/watch and https://cathedral.org with closed captioning and ASL provided. 

The diverse program will include prayers, readings, blessings, and hymns from interfaith leaders, celebrated artists, and other inspiring voices who will come together to mark the beginning of a new national journey that restores the soul of America, brings the country together, and creates a path to a brighter future.  

“The National Prayer Service is an important tradition for our nation and for President Biden, who has always been a man guided deeply by his faith. The program announced today will honor the role of faith in our country, and provide a moment to reflect on the unprecedented challenges we face, as we enter this new American chapter of healing to beat the pandemic, build back our economy better, and unify our country,” said PIC CEO and Delaware State University President Dr. Tony Allen.

The customary interfaith service, which dates back to the first inauguration of President George Washington, will be entirely virtual this year to engage Americans safely. Bishop William J. Barber II will deliver the homily, and the program will feature remarks from leading religious voices representing all walks of life and musical performances from Josh Groban, Patti LaBelle and The Clark Sisters. 

“This Cathedral is a House of Prayer for All People and a sacred space where America gathers in moments of deep significance, and we are honored to welcome the nation to pause, give thanks and seek God’s help in the hard work ahead. We thank President Biden, Vice President Harris and all our leaders for beginning this work in prayer as we strive to become the people God calls us to be,” said the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, dean of Washington National Cathedral. 

Additional participants in the service include: 

  • The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate, The Episcopal Church
  • The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Diocesan Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Washington
  • The Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, Dean, Washington National Cathedral
  • His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
  • Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, Senior Rabbi, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
  • Rabbi Sharon Brous, Senior Rabbi, IKAR
  • Jonathan Nez, President, Navajo Nation
  • Phefelia Nez, First Lady, Navajo Nation
  • The Rev. Jim Wallis, Founder and Ambassador of Sojourners
  • Sr. Carol Keehan, Former President and CEO, Catholic Health Association 
  • The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, Senior Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ
  • Dr. Debbie Almontaser, Senior Advisor, Emgage NY and President, Muslim Community Network
  • Imam Azhar Subedar, Imam, IACC
  • The Rev. Dr. Alexia Salvatierra, Assistant Professor of Mission and Global Transformation, Fuller Theological Seminary
  • Barbara Satin, Faith Work Director, The National LGBTQ Task Force
  • Anuttama Dasa, Global Minister of Communications, International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
  • Valarie Kaur, Sikh American Activist, Author of “See No Stranger”   
  • The Rev. Dr. Gregory Knox Jones, Senior Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church
  • Bishop Vashti McKenzie, African Methodist Episcopal Church
  • The Rev. Dr. Paula Stone Williams, Author and Pastor, Left Hand Church
  • The Rev. Fred Davie, Executive Vice President, Union Theological Seminary
  • The Rev. Robert W. Fisher, Rector, St. John’s, Lafayette Square
  • The Rev. Dr. Yvette Flunder, Presiding Bishop, The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries 
  • Emma Petty Addams, Executive Director, Mormon Women for Ethical Government 
  • The Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Hale, Senior Pastor, Ray of Hope Christian Church
  • The Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Kuan, President, Claremont School of Theology
  • Bishop Leah Daughtry, Presiding Prelate, The House of the Lord Churches and Principal, On These Things, LLC
  • First Lady Robin Jackson, Brookland Baptist Church
  • The Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, Senior Minister, Middle Collegiate Church 
  • The Revd. Canon Rosemarie Logan Duncan, Canon for Worship, Washington National Cathedral
  • The Rev. Robert W. Lee, Pastor, Unifour Church
  • Sr. Norma Pimentel, Executive Director, Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley
  • Jen Hatmaker, NYT Bestselling Author, Podcast Host, and Speaker

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

The Inauguration of Joe Biden as President



Today, at noon, the United States of America will observe the peaceful transition of power from one Presidential administration to another.

Below is a schedule of planned events for the 59th Presidential Inauguration and embedded video players where you can watch the inauruagtion ceremonies that will be taking place today and tonight if you have no other means. A transcript of the Inaugural Address of the new President will be added after it has been released and it will be placed below the videos of the live coverage with a clip of just the Inaugural Address.

Inaugural Ceremonies

President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris will be sworn in on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol building. After they take their oaths of office, President-elect Biden will deliver an inaugural address laying out his vision to defeat the pandemic, build back better, and unify and heal the nation.

The following participants will join the 59th Inaugural Swearing-In Ceremony:

Invocation – Father Leo J. O’Donovan
Pledge of Allegiance – Andrea Hall
National Anthem – Lady Gaga
Poetry Reading – Amanda Gorman
Musical Performance – Jennifer Lopez
Benediction – Reverend Dr. Silvester Beaman

Following the ceremony, the President-elect, First Lady, Vice President-elect, and Second Gentleman will participate in a Pass in Review on the East front with members of the military. Pass in Reviews are a long-standing military tradition that reflect the peaceful transfer of power to a new Commander-in-Chief.

Live video from C-SPAN



Live Video from the Biden Inaugural Committee



Joe Biden Takes the Oath of Office



Inaugural Address


Transcript:

Chief Justice Roberts, Vice-President Harris, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Vice-President Pence. My distinguished guests, my fellow Americans.

This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day of history and hope, of renewal and resolve. Through a crucible for the ages, America has been tested a new and America has risen to the challenge. Today we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate but of a cause, a cause of democracy. The people – the will of the people – has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded.

We’ve learned again that democracy is precious, democracy is fragile and, at this hour my friends, democracy has prevailed. So now on this hallowed ground where just a few days ago violence sought to shake the Capitol’s very foundations, we come together as one nation under God – indivisible – to carry out the peaceful transfer of power as we have for more than two centuries.

As we look ahead in our uniquely American way, restless, bold, optimistic, and set our sights on a nation we know we can be and must be, I thank my predecessors of both parties. I thank them from the bottom of my heart. And I know the resilience of our Constitution and the strength, the strength of our nation, as does President Carter, who I spoke with last night who cannot be with us today, but who we salute for his lifetime of service.

I’ve just taken a sacred oath each of those patriots have taken. The oath first sworn by George Washington. But the American story depends not on any one of us, not on some of us, but on all of us. On we the people who seek a more perfect union. This is a great nation, we are good people. And over the centuries through storm and strife in peace and in war we’ve come so far. But we still have far to go.

We’ll press forward with speed and urgency for we have much to do in this winter of peril and significant possibility. Much to do, much to heal, much to restore, much to build and much to gain. Few people in our nation’s history have been more challenged or found a time more challenging or difficult than the time we’re in now. A once in a century virus that silently stalks the country has taken as many lives in one year as in all of World War 2.

Millions of jobs have been lost. Hundreds of thousands of businesses closed. A cry for racial justice, some 400 years in the making, moves us. The dream of justice for all will be deferred no longer. A cry for survival comes from the planet itself, a cry that can’t be any more desperate or any more clear now. The rise of political extremism, white supremacy, domestic terrorism, that we must confront and we will defeat.

To overcome these challenges, to restore the soul and secure the future of America, requires so much more than words. It requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy – unity. Unity. In another January on New Year’s Day in 1863 Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. When he put pen to paper the president said, and I quote, ‘if my name ever goes down in history, it’ll be for this act, and my whole soul is in it’.

My whole soul is in it today, on this January day. My whole soul is in this. Bringing America together, uniting our people, uniting our nation. And I ask every American to join me in this cause. Uniting to fight the foes we face – anger, resentment and hatred. Extremism, lawlessness, violence, disease, joblessness, and hopelessness.

With unity we can do great things, important things. We can right wrongs, we can put people to work in good jobs, we can teach our children in safe schools. We can overcome the deadly virus, we can rebuild work, we can rebuild the middle class and make work secure, we can secure racial justice and we can make America once again the leading force for good in the world.

I know speaking of unity can sound to some like a foolish fantasy these days. I know the forces that divide us are deep and they are real. But I also know they are not new. Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal, that we are all created equal, and the harsh ugly reality that racism, nativism and fear have torn us apart. The battle is perennial and victory is never secure.

Through civil war, the Great Depression, World War, 9/11, through struggle, sacrifice, and setback, our better angels have always prevailed. In each of our moments enough of us have come together to carry all of us forward and we can do that now. History, faith and reason show the way. The way of unity.

We can see each other not as adversaries but as neighbors. We can treat each other with dignity and respect. We can join forces, stop the shouting and lower the temperature. For without unity there is no peace, only bitterness and fury, no progress, only exhausting outrage. No nation, only a state of chaos. This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge. And unity is the path forward. And we must meet this moment as the United States of America.

If we do that, I guarantee we will not failed. We have never, ever, ever, ever failed in America when we’ve acted together. And so today at this time in this place, let’s start afresh, all of us. Let’s begin to listen to one another again, hear one another, see one another. Show respect to one another. Politics doesn’t have to be a raging fire destroying everything in its path. Every disagreement doesn’t have to be a cause for total war and we must reject the culture in which facts themselves are manipulated and even manufactured.

My fellow Americans, we have to be different than this. We have to be better than this and I believe America is so much better than this. Just look around. Here we stand in the shadow of the Capitol dome. As mentioned earlier, completed in the shadow of the Civil War. When the union itself was literally hanging in the balance. We endure, we prevail. Here we stand, looking out on the great Mall, where Dr. King spoke of his dream.

Here we stand, where 108 years ago at another inaugural, thousands of protesters tried to block brave women marching for the right to vote. And today we mark the swearing-in of the first woman elected to national office, Vice President Kamala Harris. Don’t tell me things can change. Here we stand where heroes who gave the last full measure of devotion rest in eternal peace.

And here we stand just days after a riotous mob thought they could use violence to silence the will of the people, to stop the work of our democracy, to drive us from this sacred ground. It did not happen, it will never happen, not today, not tomorrow, not ever. Not ever. To all those who supported our campaign, I’m humbled by the faith you placed in us. To all those who did not support us, let me say this. Hear us out as we move forward. Take a measure of me and my heart.

If you still disagree, so be it. That’s democracy. That’s America. The right to dissent peacefully. And the guardrail of our democracy is perhaps our nation’s greatest strength. If you hear me clearly, disagreement must not lead to disunion. And I pledge this to you. I will be a President for all Americans, all Americans. And I promise you I will fight for those who did not support me as for those who did.

Many centuries ago, St. Augustine – the saint of my church – wrote that a people was a multitude defined by the common objects of their love. Defined by the common objects of their love. What are the common objects we as Americans love, that define us as Americans? I think we know. Opportunity, security, liberty, dignity, respect, honor, and yes, the truth.

Recent weeks and months have taught us a painful lesson. There is truth and there are lies. Lies told for power and for profit. And each of us has a duty and a responsibility as citizens as Americans and especially as leaders. Leaders who are pledged to honor our Constitution to protect our nation. To defend the truth and defeat the lies.

Look, I understand that many of my fellow Americans view the future with fear and trepidation. I understand they worry about their jobs. I understand like their dad they lay in bed at night staring at the ceiling thinking: ‘Can I keep my healthcare? Can I pay my mortgage?’ Thinking about their families, about what comes next. I promise you, I get it. But the answer’s not to turn inward. To retreat into competing factions. Distrusting those who don’t look like you, or worship the way you do, who don’t get their news from the same source as you do.

We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal. We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts, if we show a little tolerance and humility, and if we’re willing to stand in the other person’s shoes, as my mom would say. Just for a moment, stand in their shoes.

Because here’s the thing about life. There’s no accounting for what fate will deal you. Some days you need a hand. There are other days when we’re called to lend a hand. That’s how it has to be, that’s what we do for one another. And if we are that way our country will be stronger, more prosperous, more ready for the future. And we can still disagree.

My fellow Americans, in the work ahead of us we’re going to need each other. We need all our strength to persevere through this dark winter. We’re entering what may be the darkest and deadliest period of the virus. We must set aside politics and finally face this pandemic as one nation, one nation. And I promise this, as the Bible says, ‘Weeping may endure for a night, joy cometh in the morning’. We will get through this together. Together.

Look folks, all my colleagues I serve with in the House and the Senate up here, we all understand the world is watching. Watching all of us today. So here’s my message to those beyond our borders. America has been tested and we’ve come out stronger for it. We will repair our alliances, and engage with the world once again. Not to meet yesterday’s challenges but today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. And we’ll lead not merely by the example of our power but the power of our example.

Fellow Americans, moms, dads, sons, daughters, friends, neighbours and co-workers. We will honor them by becoming the people and the nation we can and should be. So I ask you let’s say a silent prayer for those who lost their lives, those left behind and for our country. Amen.

Folks, it’s a time of testing. We face an attack on our democracy, and on truth, a raging virus, a stinging inequity, systemic racism, a climate in crisis, America’s role in the world. Any one of these would be enough to challenge us in profound ways. But the fact is we face them all at once, presenting this nation with one of the greatest responsibilities we’ve had. Now we’re going to be tested. Are we going to step up?

It’s time for boldness for there is so much to do. And this is certain, I promise you. We will be judged, you and I, by how we resolve these cascading crises of our era. We will rise to the occasion. Will we master this rare and difficult hour? Will we meet our obligations and pass along a new and better world to our children? I believe we must and I’m sure you do as well. I believe we will, and when we do, we’ll write the next great chapter in the history of the United States of America. The American story.

A story that might sound like a song that means a lot to me, it’s called American Anthem. And there’s one verse that stands out at least for me and it goes like this:

‘The work and prayers of centuries have brought us to this day, which shall be our legacy, what will our children say?

Let me know in my heart when my days are through, America, America, I gave my best to you.’

Let us add our own work and prayers to the unfolding story of our great nation. If we do this, then when our days are through, our children and our children’s children will say of us: ‘They gave their best, they did their duty, they healed a broken land.’

My fellow Americans I close the day where I began, with a sacred oath. Before God and all of you, I give you my word. I will always level with you. I will defend the Constitution, I’ll defend our democracy.

I’ll defend America and I will give all – all of you – keep everything I do in your service. Thinking not of power but of possibilities. Not of personal interest but of public good.

And together we will write an American story of hope, not fear. Of unity not division, of light not darkness. A story of decency and dignity, love and healing, greatness and goodness. May this be the story that guides us. The story that inspires us. And the story that tells ages yet to come that we answered the call of history, we met the moment. Democracy and hope, truth and justice, did not die on our watch but thrive.

That America secured liberty at home and stood once again as a beacon to the world. That is what we owe our forbearers, one another, and generations to follow.

So with purpose and resolve, we turn to those tasks of our time. Sustained by faith, driven by conviction and devoted to one another and the country we love with all our hearts. May God bless America and may God protect our troops. Thank you, America.

Our White House: An Inaugural Celebration for Young Americans
10:00 AM-12:30 PM



The Presidential Inauguration Committee will host a first-ever curated livestream for young Americans before and during the Inaugural Ceremonies. The livestream, hosted by award-winning entertainer and advocate Keke Palmer, will feature a special message from Dr. Jill Biden; commentary from historians Doris Kearns Goodwin and Erica Armstrong Dunbar; a segment on presidential pets produced by Nickelodeon; excerpts of student voices from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs “We the Young People” programming; trivia questions, including some asked by Doug Emhoff; segments produced by the Library of Congress; and other special features.

Wreath Laying at Arlington National Cemetery
Coverage starts after 2 PM

The President-elect, Dr. Biden, the Vice President-elect, and Mr. Emhoff will visit Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They will be joined by President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, President George W. Bush and Laura Bush, and President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton.

Presidential Escort
Coverage starts after 3 PM 

President-elect Biden will receive a Presidential Escort from 15th Street to the White House with every branch of the military will be represented in the escort, including The U.S. Army Band, a Joint Service Honor Guard, and the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard and Fife and Drum Corps from the 3rd U.S. Infantry “The Old Guard.”

Celebrating America Primetime Special
8:30 PM

Hosted by Tom Hanks, this 90-minute prime-time program will feature remarks from President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris and include remarks and performances that represent the rich diversity and extensive talent America offers. Celebrating America will feature Ant Clemons, Jon Bon Jovi, Foo Fighters, John Legend, Eva Longoria, Demi Lovato, Bruce Springsteen, Justin Timberlake, and Kerry Washington.

The Presidential Escort to the White House will be followed by a “Parade Across America,” which will be televised for the American people and feature diverse, dynamic performances in communities across the country.

On Inauguration Eve, the President-elect and Vice President-elect participated in a Memorial to those who have lost their lives in the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is a video of that event, followed by a few screenshots taken from the video.



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Published at 6:35am on Wednesday, January 20, 2021

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