Today, President Barack Obama took a public oath of office and began his second term as President of the United States of America. While the ceremony was by all accounts smaller than the one four years ago, it was still full of tradition, flag-waving, pomp and circumstance. Check out these memorable images from the event.
Former President William Jefferson “Bill” Clinton
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and wife Rosalynn Carter
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Callista Gingrich
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor (right) and Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Justice Clarence Thomas
Jimmy Carter, Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta
James Taylor and Kim Taylor
U.S. Sen. John Kerry
Bill and Hillary Clinton embrace President Obama
Al Sharpton
Sen. Al Franken
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi
Dr. Jill Biden
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor
POTUS and FLOTUS K-I-S-S-I-N-G
Malia Obama and Natasha “Sasha” Obama
The First Daughters greet their father
Sasha and Malia and their cousin Avery Robinson
The Obama ladies (and “first grandmother” Marian Robinson, on the left)
The First Family
House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Joe Biden
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel, wife Amy Rule
Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to the President of the United States
The VPOTUS and the POTUS
Rep. Steny Hoyer
U.S. Sen John McCain and U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein
Congressman Paul Ryan
Poet Richard Blanco
Kelly Clarkson greets the President
Katy Perry and John Mayer
Katy Perry and John Mayer
Jay-Z and Beyoncé
Jay-Z and Beyoncé
Jay-Z and Beyoncé
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer
Chuck Schumer enjoying the vocal stylings of Beyoncé
Another historic moment
Check out Sasha gazing upon Beyoncé
Beyoncé embracing First Lady Michelle Obama
An airbrushed Obama sweatshirt
Official caption from Getty Images:
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 21: Gustavo Cinfuentes (L) and Greg Josken hug near the U.S. Capitol building as they stand on the National Mall waiting for the start of the Inauguration ceremony on January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Barack Obama will be ceremonially sworn in for his second term today. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Official caption from Getty Images:
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 21: Susannah Ward (L) and Daniela Zara and others gather near the U.S. Capitol building on the National Mall for the Inauguration ceremony on January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Barack Obama will be ceremonially sworn in for his second term today. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Official caption from Getty Images:
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 21: Rickita Glass (L) and Kelly Grimes and others gather near the U.S. Capitol building on the National Mall for the Inauguration ceremony on January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Barack Obama will be ceremonially sworn in for his second term today. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Official caption from Getty Images:
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 21: Sydney Yochum sits on the shoulders of Luis Lauro Lopez near the U.S. Capitol building on the National Mall as they and others wait for the start of the Inauguration ceremony on January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Barack Obama will be ceremonially sworn in for his second term today. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Official caption from Getty Images:
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 21: People lie and sit on the ground as they gather near the U.S. Capitol building on the National Mall for the Inauguration ceremony on January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Barack Obama will be ceremonially sworn in for his second term today. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Official caption from Getty Images:
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 21: People walk past a homeless man who did not want to be identified on their way to the National Mall to attend the Inauguration ceremony on January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Barack Obama, will be ceremonially sworn in for his second term today. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Images via Getty.