10 Things You Need to Know About Attending President-Elect Obama’s Inauguration
8. Traffic is likely to be an issue with the influx of visitors, but many Washington residents will be pitching in by staying home. Inauguration Day is a holiday for federal workers in D.C. and surrounding areas, and many local schools, including those in the District of Columbia, will be closed. The day before the inauguration is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is also a federal holiday. Washington's Metro public transit system is one option for getting around without a car.
9. In addition to the official inaugural festivities, Washington has many other things to see. The city's online Visitors Resource Center has tips on the monuments, museums, and historical sites in town. The tourism group DestinationDC lists a number of election-themed attractions in town, including exhibits at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery.
10. Even if you can't make it to the inauguration, you can delve into the ceremony's history at the Senate's website, which features images of inaugurations from the late 19th century. The Library of Congress' American Memory site features images of inaugurations from George Washington's to George W. Bush's. You also can go online to watch the construction of the inauguration platform at the website of the Senate committee in charge of this year's event.
Sources:
- ABC News
- Armed Forces Inaugural Committee
- Associated Press
- DestinationDC
- District of Columbia Visitors Resource Center
- Honolulu Advertiser
- Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies
- Library of Congress
- McClatchy News
- Miami Herald
- National Conference of State Societies
- Office of Personnel Management
- U.S. Senate
- Washington Post
- Weather Channel
Reader Comments
Inauguration Invite
Hello! I received an invitation from the Presidential Inaugural Committee to attend and participate in the Inauguration also. My husband and I are confused as well. There were no instructions and the invitation is 8 1/2 x 11. There is no ticket attached.
Thank you very much
Tim & Teresa Thorn
Presidential Inuaguration of PEACE restored to our Nation!
Please! Everyone attending any events here in Washington DC .
Be considerate and keep our city clean and peacefull. Many people will be excited and celebrating ~ Remember that this is a GLORIOUS OCCASSION and should be treated with the upmost RESPECT! We are all brothers and sisters, White or Black, Gay or Straight ...it is no longer an issue and YES, Every American has a chance to become President. Let this be the day we become a United States and a United People of America and move forward to end War and bring Peace. Remember ! We are still in Bush's War. Since 2001 Cindy and I have been protesting (Peacefully) with a large canvas that reads "WISDON NOT WAR"...Let this be the year that we can put away our sign . May OBAMA lead all of us to bring our brothers and sisters home and may PEACE prevail over all ! Not only America but people Everywhere!
Inauguration
Hello! I received an invitation from the Presidential Inaugural Committee to attend and participate in the Inauguration...but am confused as there are no instructions as to how to go about it. The invitation is 8 1/2 x 11, not easy to carry - there isn't a ticket. Can you tell me if this is just a nice momento or something one can actually use to the event. Thank you very much, Jessie Mackay
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