The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) on Monday announced ‘America United’ as the theme for President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration on January 20.
In a statement, the PIC said that America United "reflects 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".
"Our political divisions are seeking to tear us apart and continue to test the strength of our democracy. The moment calls for sober reflection and the mustering of our national resolve. It is also a moment of hope," the committee added.
The PIC further said that Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris' inauguration will “showcase the American people's resilience, heroism, and unified commitment to coming together as a nation to heal and rebuild so that we emerge as the indomitable force that a united America represents”.
“This inauguration marks a new chapter for the American people — one of healing, of unifying, of coming together, of an America united,” said PIC CEO Dr. Tony Allen. “It is time to turn the page on this era of division. The inaugural activities will reflect our shared values and serve as a reminder that we are stronger together than we are apart, just as our motto ‘e pluribus unum’ reminds us — out of many, one.”
The Committee will install an extensive public art display on the National Mall that will include approximately 191,500 US flags of varying sizes, including flags representing every state and territory, and 56 pillars of light.
The President-elect, his wife Dr. Jill Biden, Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff will visit Arlington National Cemetery following the swearing-in ceremony and will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, honoring the men and women in uniform who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defence of common values of the US.
Biden will be joined by former Presidents Barack Obama, George W Bush and Bill Clinton, along with former First Ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton.