A new presidency - 22nd January 2021

Joe Biden is now the 46th American president. He started the job on Wednesday, 20th January.

There was a special event at the US Capitol. Two weeks ago, the Capitol looked very different. Trump supporters fought police there.

Old presidents usually go to the event. Presidents Obama, Bush and Clinton were there. President Trump didn’t go.

Lots of people always go to the event. But the pandemic is a problem. People couldn’t go. There were 200,000 flags in the empty space.

Biden always wanted this job. He becomes president at 78 years old.

Biden: “Preserve, protect and defend, the Constitution of the United States, so help me God.”

A hundred years ago, women couldn’t vote for the president. Now, Kamala Harris is the first woman Vice President. In the future, she may be the first woman president.

Harris: “I, Kamala Devi Harris, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States, against all enemies foreign and domestic.”

President Biden spoke to the country. He wants people to work together. The US has lots of problems with Covid, jobs and politics.

Biden: "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."

Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez sang. Amanda Gorman wrote a new poem. It was a message of hope.

Gorman: "There is always light if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.”