There were musical performances and a speech from the new president, but the nation's Capitol was largely void of what is normally an Inauguration Day staple: crowds of people.
Droves of Americans did not line the National Mall — instead flags, lights and thousands of security personnel did.
Still, the inauguration marked a monumental transition during a desperate time. The country continues to grapple with a COVID-19 death toll roughly equal to that of World War II. And the memory of an insurrection on Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol loomed as Biden was sworn in at the same site.
The crowd was smaller than in past inaugurations, but there was still a lot of pomp and circumstance.
The front of the Capitol was adorned with large American flags. The Marine Band serenaded guests with patriotic music. The arrival of dignitaries was announced over a loudspeaker accompanied by a drumroll.
Seats were spaced six feet apart as a safety protocol. And what is normally the standing-room-only section was instead filled by members of the news media.
Here's what Washington, D.C., looked like on a historic day:
President-elect Joe Biden and Jill Biden with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris arrive at the East Front of the U.S. Capitol for his inauguration ceremony to be the 46th President of the United States in Washington, D.C., on January 20, 2021.
Vice President Kamala Harris is sworn in during the 2021 Presidential Inauguration.
President Joe Biden is sworn in during the 2021 Presidential Inauguration.
President Joe Biden addresses the crowd after being sworn in during the 2021 Presidential Inauguration.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk up the stairs as they arrive at the North Portico of the White House, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington.
The "Field of Flags" is illuminated on the National Mall on Jan. 18, 2021 in Washington, DC.
The West Front of the U.S. Capitol is illuminated as the sun begins to rise before the 2021 Presidential Inauguration.
Final preparations are made ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington.
The National Mall is illuminated as the sun begins to rise before the 2021 Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, 2021.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump prepare to depart the White House on Marine One on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC.
Outgoing US President Donald Trump waves as he boards Marine One at the White House in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2021.
Marine One with President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump aboard departs the White House on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC.
Security is posted atop the White House in Washington, D.C. as Marine One is scheduled to depart the White House in Washington, D.C., en route Joint Base Andrews, Maryland on January 20, 2021.
Marine One with President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump aboard departs the White House in Washington, D.C., en route to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland on January 20, 2021.
Marine One with President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump flies past the Washington Monument as it departs the White House in Washington, D.C., en route to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on January 20, 2021.
Marine One carrying outgoing President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump flies past the U.S. Capitol decked out for the 59th presidential inauguration as they depart the White House in Washington, D.C., on January 20, 2021.
Outgoing President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump travel to their Mar-a-Lago golf club residence in Palm Beach, Florida, and will not attend the inauguration for President-elect Joe Biden.
A man vacuums inside the U.S. Capitol ahead of the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington, D.C.
A member of the U.S. Army Band waits before President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
President-elect Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden attend services at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle with Congressional leaders prior the 59th Presidential Inauguration ceremony on Jan. 20, 2021 in Washington, DC.
A general view of the U.S. Capitol before the 2021 Presidential Inauguration.
President-elect Joe Biden, his wife Jill Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff arrive at the steps of the U.S. Capitol for the start of the official inauguration ceremonies, in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi waits at left.
(L-R) Doug Emhoff, U.S. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, Jill Biden and President-elect Joe Biden wave as they arrive on the East Front of the U.S. Capitol for the inauguration on Jan. 20, 2021 in Washington, DC.
President-elect Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrive to the 2021 Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol.
Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris arrive to the 2021 Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol.
Vice President Mike Pence and Karen Pence arrive to the 2021 Presidential Inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the U.S. Capitol.
Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama arrive before the 2021 Presidential Inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the U.S. Capitol.
Former President Bill Clinton and Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrive before the 2021 Presidential Inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the U.S. Capitol.
President-elect Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden stand with members of the Biden family during the 2021 Presidential Inauguration.
Lady Gaga performs the National Anthem during the 2021 Presidential Inauguration.
Jennifer Lopez performs during the 2021 Presidential Inauguration.
Garth Brooks performs during the 2021 Presidential Inauguration.
National youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman arrives at the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021 in Washington.
National youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman speaks at the inauguration of U.S. President Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington, D.C.
Law enforcement personnel monitoring surrounding areas during the 59th Presidential Inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC.
Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden stand during his inauguration as the 46th US President, on the West Front of the US Capitol in Washington, DC on January 20, 2021.
Vice President Kamala Harris escorts former Vice President Mike Pence to the East Front steps of the U.S. Capitol following the 2021 Presidential Inauguration.
President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden watch a military pass in review ceremony on the East Front of the Capitol at the conclusion of the inauguration ceremonies, in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala salute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Va., Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2021.
President Joe Biden and wife Jill Biden arrive at the White House after his inauguration on January 20, 2021.
U.S. President Joe Biden walks the abbreviated parade route in front of the White House after Biden's inauguration on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden hug as they arrive at the North Portico of the White House, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden wave as they arrive at the North Portico of the White House, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington.
Contributing: Michael Collins, USA TODAY
Follow Jay Cannon of USA TODAY on Twitter: @JayTCannon
