The world"s eyes will be on the nation"s capitol Wednesday as Joe Biden is sworn into office as the 46th president of the United States, writes NBCB.

Between the still-raging pandemic and suddenly very real threat of violence from supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump, Jan. 20 promises to be one of the most unusual presidential inaugurations in American history.

President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will take the oath of office outside the Capitol. Biden will deliver an inaugural address and both he and Harris will inspect the troops. But nearly everything else will be different than previous inaugurations.

The 59th inaugural ceremony will be pared down, distanced, and much of it virtual. Still, a slew of celebrities will be descending on Washington, virtually and a few in person. They include Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Garth Brooks, who will be performing at the swearing-in ceremony.

“Trump’s absence at the ceremony will be a final show of disregard for democratic norms and traditions that Trump gleefully shattered over the course of his stormy, 1,460-day presidency. Only four US presidents have skipped their predecessor’s inauguration – most recently Andrew Johnson in 1869. Mike Pence, the outgoing vice-president, will attend the ceremony to demonstrate support for a peaceful transition of power. The Clintons, Bushes and Obamas are all expected to attend the ceremony”, - writes The Guardian.