and we'll see then tonight. >> we the people concert. it is a star studded affair and let's turn to it right now. the star studded inaugural concert celebrating america. ♪ ♪ >> good evening america, i'm proud to be here in cold washington to see you tonight. i want to offer this small prayer for our country. this is "land of open dreams." ♪ taking in your suitcase, thunder is rolling down this track ♪ ♪ you don't know where you're going now ♪ ♪ but you know you won't be back ♪ ♪ darling, if you're weary, lean

your head upon my chest ♪ ♪ we'll take what we can carry and we'll leave the rest ♪ ♪ well, the big wheels roll to fields where sunlight streams ♪ ♪ roll me in a land of hope and dreams ♪ ♪ what i will provide for you, i'll stand by your side ♪ ♪ you'll need a good companion now, oh, for this part of the ride ♪

♪ behind your sorrows, let's let this day be the last ♪ ♪ well tomorrow there will be s sunshine, sunshine and all this darkness past ♪ ♪ the big wheels roll through fields where sunlight streams ♪ ♪ oh, meet he in a land of hope and dreams ♪ ♪ where this train carries saints and sinners, this train carries losers and wipingers ♪ ♪ this train carries hard gamblers, this train carries lost souls ♪

i said this train dreams will not be thwarted, this train, faith will be rewarded on this train ♪ ♪ here the steel wheels singing, this train bells of freedom ringing ♪ ♪ the big wheels roll through fields where sunlight streams ♪ ♪ oh, meet me in a land of hope and dreams ♪ ♪ meet me in a land of hope and dreams ♪

♪ ♪ please welcome our host tom hanks. >> bruce springsteen's "land of hope and dreams" kicks off tonight's celebrating america on this day, which saw the innothing ration of our 46th president joseph r. biden junior and at the lincoln memorial at the national mall in our nation's secured capitol city. the last few weeks, in the last few years we've witnessed deep divisions and a troubling ranker in our land but tonight, we ponder the united states of america. the practice of our democracy, the foundations of our republic, the integrity of our constitution, the hope and

dreams we all share for a more perfect union. to some a presidential inauguration is a tradition, an act that marks the commitment of a new four-year term. yet, in truth, inauguration day is nothing more than the swearing in of the next national leaders and this day is about witnessing the permanence of our american ideal. every four years, we hear the words that will empower us all on the journey ahead, a message that can unite us as we begin a new passage from where we are to where we can be, a trek to a common goal, to the promise of our promised land. the keynote of this day is that presidential inaugural address, the new president, republican, democrat, lays out a vision for the nation. if the words ring out, it is not

only due to the power it is because the dream of america has no limits and resonates well beyond any single day. tonight we share memorable passages from the inaugural remarks of four of our past presidents, each spoke to a specific moment in our history. fdr rallied us in the great depression. jfk inspired a new generation to serve. ronald reagan spoke of the peaceful transition of power for a shining city on a hill. and abraham lincoln sought to unite us after a war that tore us apart. >> with malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as god gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in to

bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him shall born the battle and for his riddle a and orphan to do all to achieve and cherish a just and lasting piece among ourselves and with all nations. >> this great nation will endure as it has and will prosper so first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing that we have to fear is fear itself. >> in the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom and maximum danger. i do not shrink this responsibility. i welcome it. i do not believe any of us will exchange places with any other people or any other generation. the energy, the faith, the

devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country in all who serve it. the glow from that fire can truly right the world and so my fellow americans ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. >> to a few of us here today, this is a solum and momentous occasion and yet, in the history of our nation it is a common place occurrence. the orderly transfer of authority as called for in the constitution routinely takes place as it has for almost two centuries and few of us stop to think how unique we are. in the eyes of many in the world, this every four year ceremony we accept as normal is nothing less than a miracle. >> we'll celebrate america with more performances and tributes

to the men and women across the country who have provided strength and kept us going through hardships and troubled times. ahead, president biden speaks to the nation. coming up, more great music and we recognize outstanding service by our citizens on celebrating america. americans across the country volunteered providing covid-19 relief and addressing issues highlighted by the pandemic in

pursuit of the i can notary public -- economic and social justice. yesterday the presidential inaugural cop mmittee hosted a ceremony at the lincoln memorial reflecting pool to honor those who died during the pandemic. we knew our commitment to work together to end the pandemic and rebuild our nation. earlier today we took part in some of the most important moments in the continuing evolution of our democracy from the swearing in ceremony to the president's speech to the parade across america and the procession to the white house. we've been reminded that it's our responsibility as citizens to protect and build a more inclusive democracy every day. >> i joseph r. biden junior do solemnly swear. >> that i will faithfully execute. >> that i will faithfully execute. >> the office of president of the united states. >> so help you god. >> so help me god.

>> congratulations, mr. president. ♪ ♪ this land is your land ♪ >> the world is watching. so here is my message to those beyond our borders, america has been tested and we've come out stronger for it. ♪ to the new york islands ♪ >> i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america. that i will love -- >> the duties of the office on which i am about to enter. >> the duties of the office upon which i am about to enter. >> so help me god. >> so help me god. [ applause ] ♪ ♪ god shed his grace on thee ♪ and crown thy good with

brotherhood from sea to shining sea ♪ >> showed a way, the way of unity. we can see each other not as adversaries but neighbors. we can treat each other with dignity and respect. we can join forces, stop the shouting and lower the temperature. this is our historic moment of crisis and challenge and unity is the path forward. ♪ and the rockets red glare ♪ ♪ the bombs bursting in air ♪ ♪ gave proof through the night that our flag was still there ♪ >> if we merge mercy with might

and might with right, the love becomes our legacy in change our children's birth light. ♪ the free and the home of the brave ♪ welcome back to celebrating america. here are some exceptional americans who have stepped up. they are the indispensable folks who have provided the daily services we too often take for gra granted. >> thanking the essential

workers carry the rest of us on their shoulders through these many months, the grocery store clerks, the delivery clerks, folks on the assembly line and meatpackers too often overlooked giving the best to their country and mean the most. that's the america we know. that's who we are. >> good evening. i'm anthony gaskin and i deliver packages to the people who live here and tonight i'm honored to represent the many front line workers across our nation who keep america going. it's not only a job for us but we care about the people who live here, and know that their concern for us and our safety and now i have a special delivery for you. from miami, john bon jovi. ♪ ♪ here comes the sun ♪

♪ here comes the sun i say ♪ ♪ here comes light ♪ ♪ ♪ little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter ♪ ♪ little darling, it feels like, here comes the sun ♪ ♪ here comes the sun i say ♪ ♪ it's all right ♪

♪ ♪ little darling, the smiles you turn into pieces ♪ ♪ little darling, it seems like years since it's been here ♪ ♪ here comes the sun ♪ ♪ here comes the sun ♪ ♪ i say, hit's all right ♪ ♪ sun, sun, sun, here it comes ♪ ♪ sun, sun, sun, here it comes ♪ ♪ sun, sun, sun, here it comes ♪

♪ sun, sun, sun, here it comes ♪ ♪ little darling, i feel that i am slowly melting ♪ ♪ little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear ♪ ♪ here comes the sun ♪ ♪ here comes the sun ♪ ♪ i say, it's all right ♪ ♪ here comes the sun ♪ ♪ here comes the sun, i say it's all right ♪

♪ it's all right ♪ fellow americans, i'm a united states marine corps and aviation operation specialist stations at marine corps station japan. over here we're focused on depending and proekt thank -- protecting partners and the quite of america. though we're stationed more than 6,000 miles away in the asia pacific, we're truly honored to celebrate the ceremony with you. congratulations to the new commander in chief. h . coming up, tributes to our everyday heroes on celebrating america.

♪ ♪ >> good evening, everybody. now for some good news. >> every night all these people have been cheering on the health care workers during their shift change. the small army of citizens making masks. >> new york's finest cheering on out of state health care workers. the tiktok doc spreading positivity. some are using dark days to create bright, bold ideas. >> covid-19 has tapped a creative nerve many of us didn't know we have. >> the dance move flossing. >> beautiful what you both are doing. >> during a crisis, cocktail hour can be any hour. >> drive by celebrations have become quite popular during these times. >> d.j. says he raised $1 million for the baltimore child

abuse center. >> a leading artist offers us songs of comfort. >> this is just something that i can do. >> we have been tested these last ten months as individuals, families, and communities, but in the midst of devastation and loss, there were moments when the flickering light pointed us toward a brighter future. you brought us comfort. you sustained us. and so that light grew. and became a bright beam in the universe. this is for all of you who found new ways for us to smile together.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

♪

♪ >> now it is my honor to introduce the president of the united states, joseph r. biden jr. ♪ ♪ >> hello, all the participants of tonight's event. it is humbling to stand here in this place in front of these sacred words. humbling out of respect to president lincoln and the office we now share and humbling because of you, the american people. as i said earlier today, we have

learned again that democracy is precious and because of you democracy has prevailed. that's why jill and i, kamala and doug, wanted to make sure our inauguration was not about us but about you, the american people. this is a great nation. we're a good people. and overcome the challenges in front of us requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy -- unity. it requires us to come together in common love that defines us as americans. opportunity, liberty, dignity, and respect. and to unite against common foes -- hate, violence, disease, and hopelessness. america's story depends not on any one of us, not on some of us, but on all of us. on we the people. that's the task before us. the only way we'll get through the darkness around us, there are moments in our history when more is asked of us as

americans. we saw that in the civil war. we saw that with dr. king dreaming from these steps across the mall. we are in one of those moments now, the pandemic, economic crisis, racial injustice, the climate crisis, and threats to our very democracy. and the question is, are we up to it? will we meet the moment like our forebearers have? i believe we must and i believe we will. you the american people are the reason why. i've never been more optimistic about america than i am this very day. there isn't anything we can't do if we do it together. and that's what you'll see tonight. stories of ordinary americans who do extraordinary things. that's how we'll celebrate america. and respect and represent america in our time in office.

america, america built of decency, is built of decency and dignity. of love and healing. of greatness and goodness. of possibilities. this is a story that guides us, inspires and unites us today and always. so thank you for this honor. i will give my all to you. may god bless america and may god protect our troops. >> thank you, mr. president. throughout tonight we're giving special thanks to americans who keep our nation moving forward despite all obstacles. they are our friends and they are our neighbors. they keep us from going hungry. they educate our children and make sacrifices both personal

and professional to help us all hang on for another meal, another day, until next month. we could not cope without them. by their example they encourage many others to join them in performing acts of kindness and decency and the easing of shared burdens. >> with love and understanding and with small acts of kindness, you show up for each other in big ways and small ones. again and again. it's what so many of you are doing right now for your loved ones, for complete strangers, for your communities. >> i have given 138 care packages to senior citizens. they mean more to us than anything else. >> hi. my name is kavanaugh bell and i spread positivity to inspire others to change the world. because the pandemic left so many in need i decided to make

care packs to help elderly people in my community. and now i'm able to gather supplies to give to families across the country. thanks to the people who pitched in every day to help. that's why, love wins. and i am so excited to introduce the amazing song "better days" from memphis. here is aunt clemmons and justin timberlake. ♪ ♪ there's a light at the end of the tunnel keep your eyes on the road ahead but if you are feeling lost in the night it's okay to cry just as long as you

hold your head ♪ ♪ 'cuz we're on our way to better better ahead ♪ ♪ it gets worse before it gets better but better is ahead ♪ better is ahead ♪ ♪ better days are coming better days are coming better days better days ♪ ♪ better days are coming ♪ ♪ i know you been kicked out stepped on let down waited for too long for something to lean on ♪ ♪ you feel weak be strong stay

calm ♪ ♪ you can see there's a light at the end of the tunnel keep your eyes on the road ahead ♪ ♪ if you're feeling lost in the night it's okay to cry just as long as you hold your head 'cuz we're on our way to better better's ahead better's ahead ♪ ♪ it gets worse before it gets better better's ahead ♪ ♪ better's ahead better days are comin ♪ ♪ better days are comin ♪ ♪ better days better days ♪ ♪ better days are comin ♪

♪ i know you feel left out slept on kicked down keep going shine bright don't dim yours for no one keep going higher and hire and hire ♪ ♪ it gets it gets better days better days are coming ♪ ♪ better days better days better days are comin' better days better days better days are comin' ♪ ♪ better better yes i know better better ♪

♪ you can see it believe it things will get better ♪ things will get better ♪ ♪ see it believe it ♪ ♪ i know that things will get better better better ♪ ♪ i know better better better i know better days are ahead yeah ♪ ♪ better days are comin' ♪ >> more musical tributes from

across the nation are coming up when "celebrating america" returns. tonight we honor our nation. we honor the american people's ability and desire to come together during difficult times, to emerge even stronger than before. we wanted to show case the diversity and talent of our creative community, so to celebrate the colors and that diversity and the beauty in our lives, let's head to the austin city limits, performing colors, this is black pumas. >> hello. we're the black pumas from austin, texas. congratulations to president biden and vice president harris on this historic win. we hop e you enjoy the music.

♪ i woke up to the morning sky first baby blue just like we rehearsed when i get up off this ground i shake leaves back down to the brown brown brown brown till i'm clean ♪ ♪ then i walk where i'd be shaded by the trees by a meadow of green ♪ ♪ for about a mile i'm headed to town town town in style ♪ ♪ with all my favorite colors all my favorite colors yes, ma'am my sisters and my brothers see 'em like no other

all my favorite colors ♪ ♪ it's a good day to be a good day for me a good day to see my favorite colors colors ♪ ♪ my sisters and my brothers they see 'em like no other all my favorite colors ♪ ♪ i'm on the other side where the baby blue skies we going to fly again and gray clouds or white walls or blue skies we gonna fly feel all right black pumas let 'em know what it is to feel all right ♪ ♪ and we going -- ooh-ooh,

ooh-ooh ♪ ♪ at least i can say i anticipate a hometown parade a home coming parade as we renegade in the morning right on with all my favorite colors yes, sir all my favorite colors right on ♪ ♪ my sisters and my brothers see 'em like no other all my favorite colors ♪ ♪ so good day to be a good day for me a good day to see my favorite colors colors ♪ ♪ my sisters and my brothers see 'em like no other all my favorite colors ♪

welcome back, america, to your celebration. we'll continue to recognize every day heroes and focus on our nation's educators. we have asked much of them over the last year and they've overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges so let's do them honor, all of them as we look at some educators from coast to coast, including one kindergarten teacher who was enthusiastic remote lessons became a viral sensation and taught us all a little

something. >> this whole country owes teachers like you a debt of gratitude. you made enormous sacrifice and showed so much creativity. everything that will be possible for our country tomorrow is going to be in large part due to what you do today. >> the kids give me the energy. i feed right off of them. seeing their smiles and their laughter. i do it for them. good evening, everyone. i'm mckenzie adams in seattle, washington. like many educators my passion is engaging young minds whether in the classroom or through a computer screen. i happened to go viral because of it. it's been a difficult year for our students and i am so proud of all the teachers, parents, and students across the country who have adapted to make the best out of a tough time. so for all my fellow teachers, for all of my kiddos at glenwood elementary school, and for all of you watching at home, here is seattle's own foo fighters. >> mackenzie adams reminds me of another outstanding teacher who

holds a very special place in my heart, my mother virginia who was a public school teacher for 35 years. like mackenzie and dr. jill biden she was also a mentor to her students, remembered long after their graduation. this year our teachers were faced with unprecedented challenges, but through dedication and creativity they faced those challenges head on. so this next song is for mackenzie and all of our unshakeable teachers that continue to enlighten our nation's kids every day. this is called "times like these." ♪ i,ism' a one way motorway i'm the one that drives away then follows you back home ♪

♪ i, i'm a street light shining i'm a bright lite blinding bright burning off and on ♪ ♪ ♪ it's times like these you learn to live again ♪ ♪ it's times like these you give and give again ♪ ♪ it's times like these you learn to love again it's times like these time and time again ♪

♪ i, i'm a new day rising i'm a brand new sky to hang the stars upon tonight ♪ ♪ i, i'm a little divided do i stay or run away and leave it all behind ♪ ♪ it's times like these you learn to live again it's times like these you give and give again ♪

♪ it's times like these you learn to love again ♪ ♪ it's times like these time and time again ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ it's times like these you learn to live again yeah times like these you give and give again ♪ ♪ it's times like these you learn to love again

it's times like these time and time again ♪ ♪ it's times like these you learn to live again it's times like these you give and give again ♪ ♪ it's times like these you learn to love again it's times like these time and time again ♪ ♪ ♪ more music plus the vice

president kamala harris, next on "celebrating america." >> i'm keri washington. this day has been a long time coming. groundbreaking women have followed their dreams and carved the path and now kamala harris is the first black south asian female vice president of these united states. she is the first but she will not be the last. the future for girls everywhere is limitless. to celebrate this historic day some extraordinary broadway performers have come together to provide inspiration. ♪ 525,600 minutes 525,600 moments so dear

525,600 minutes how do you measure measure a year ♪ ♪ in daylight in sunsets in midnights through cups of coffee ♪ ♪ in inches in miles through strife ♪ ♪ 525,600 minutes how do you measure a year in a life ♪ ♪ how about love how about love how about love ♪ ♪ measuring love ♪ ♪ seasons of love ♪ ♪ seasons of love ♪

♪ 525,600 minutes 525,600 ♪ ♪ 525,600 minutes how do you measure a life of a woman or a man ♪ ♪ in truth that she learned or in times that he cried ♪ ♪ in the bridges he burned or the way that she died ♪ ♪ let's celebrate remember the life of a man ♪ ♪ let the sun shine let the sun shine in the sun shine in ♪ ♪ let the sunshine let the sun shine in

the sun shine in ♪ ♪ come on now ♪ ♪ let the sun shine you gotta let the sun shine in the sun shine in ♪ ♪ oh, ho yeah, yeah, oh, yeah ♪ ♪ let the sun shine let the sun shine in the sun shine in ♪ ♪ let the sun shine let the sun shine in the sun shine in ♪ >> celebrating america, welcome

back. hunger continues to be a heart breaking reality in our nation. during this pandemic the number of families who go hungry has skyrocketed. once again there are heroes all over america who saw the needs and then rose to the challenges to help their neighbors. maybe they even helped you. >> hunger and malnutrition at home and around the world is a consequential -- if we do nothing today food insecurity will loom as an even larger and bigger threat tomorrow. yo you're fostering a world that is more just and peaceful. >> our fundraiser, little johns, they give food to families who have food insecurity. >> my name is jose andres. i am a chef who believes that food is not just -- it is a

basic human right to live free from hunger but today we have a hunger crisis in america. one in four of our neighbors is going hungry. as an immigrant and proud american citizen i know how americans respond to a crisis. we step up through churches and organization like mine, working with over 2500 restaurants to prepare more than 35 million meals for this pandemic. food is the fastest way to rebuild our sense of community. we can put people back to work preparing it. we can put lives back together by fighting hunger. we need everyone to join this fight. we need longer tables not higher walls. we need more americans like 8-year-old morgan from wisconsin who set out to make america a better place by helping to feed people she's never met. >> thank you, chef andres. when i learned that kids who

used to get meals at school were going hungry because of covid i wanted to open a lemonade stand to raise money to help. because of social distancing that couldn't work so i opened an online lemonade stand. we raised over $52,000, which means i have to make a lot of lemonade coupons. i'm happy to be one of the many americans helping others. and now back to tom hanks. >> well, thanks, morgan. i want to be just like you. president biden has often turned to the words of irish poets for solace and encouragement. in the pantheon of his favorite poets the president has frequently quoted one poem for its particular relevance inspiring him to declare that this is our moment to make hope and history rhyme. so now, to reside it at the united palace theater in his washington heights neighborhood of new york city, here is lynn

manuel miranda. "the cure of troy" human beings suffer. they torture one another. they get hurt and get hard. no poem or play or song can fully right a wrong inflicted and endured. history says don't hope on the side of the grave but then once in a lifetime the longed for tidal wave of justice can rise up and hope and history rhyme. so hope for a great sea change on the far side of revenge. believe that a further shore is reachable from here. believe in miracles. and cures. and healing wells. call miracles self-healing, the utter self-revealing double take of feeling. if there's fire on the mountain and lightning and storm and a god speaks from the sky, that means someone is hearing the

outcry and the birth cry of new life at its term. it means once in a lifetime that justice can rise up and hope and history rhyme. >> good evening, america. i'm nasa astronaut kate rubens with the american members of our expedition 64 crew aboard the international space station. we are 200 miles above earth and traveling at 17,500 miles per hour around its orbit. we're up here working with our international partners to find new scientific breakthroughs from improved vaccines to safer drinking water to help people all over the world. just as we're celebrating two decades of global cooperation and space, it's truly an honor for us to celebrate america today. as we unite for this historic inaugural tradition that spans more than two centuries. coming up our friends and neighbors across the country join the finale of "celebrating america."

>> last night a breathtaking moment of national unity honored the over 400,000 lives lost to covid-19. thousands of people in cities and small towns participated from san carlos apache reservation to raleigh, south carolina, from 1 world trade center to wrigley field buildings and landmarks were illuminated. church bells rang. in washington, d.c. cardinal wilton daniel gregory offered a blessing. 400 glowing lights surrounding the lincoln memorial reflecting pool sparked a nationwide flame. this national memorial to lives lost featured lori marie key a detroit nurse whose voice encouraged her exhausted colleagues and a performance by yolanda adams. ♪ amazing grace ♪ >> we pray for those who have died and the families and loved ones that they left behind.

>> we gather tonight, a nation in mourning, to pay tribute to the lives we have lost. though we may be physically separated, we, the american people, are united in spirit. and my abiding hope, my abiding prayer is that we emerge from this ordeal with a new wisdom. ♪ was blind but now i see ♪ >> i mean this from the bottom of my heart. if there are any angels in heaven they're all nurses. we know from our family experience what you do -- the courage and the pain you absorb for others. thank you. to heal we must remember. it's important to do that as a nation. let us shine the lights in the

darkness along the sacred pool of reflection and remember all we lost. ♪ i heard there was a secret chord that david played and it pleased the lord but you don't really care for music do ya ♪ ♪ it goes like this the 4th the 5th the minor fall and the major lift the baffled king composing hallelujah ♪ ♪ hallelujah hallelujah ♪ ♪ hallelujah hallelujah ♪ ♪ i know that there's a god

above and all i've ever learned from love is how to shoot at someone who outdrew you ♪ ♪ it's not a cry you hear at night it's not someone who's seen the light it's a cold and a broken hallelujah ♪ ♪ hallelujah hallelujah ♪ ♪ hallelujah hallelujah ♪ ♪ hallelujah hallelujah ♪ ♪ hallelujah hallelujah ♪

>> sarah fuller with a chance to make history and be the first woman in a power 5 football game. >> a goalkeeper on the vanderbilt soccer team. sarah fuller will kick off for vanderbilt. >> ladies and gentlemen, you have witnessed history here. she can be the first to make an extra point at the power 5 level. right through there. >> entirely new generation of girls that are going to think they can do more because of what you've done. >> i'm sarah fuller. i faced a lot of challenges as a goalkeeper on the vanderbilt women's soccer team and as a kicker on the football team. but seeing other women break barriers and be the first at what they do inspired me and gave me the strength to succeed.

that's why it is such an honor to introduce a true ground breaker and after 232 years of waiting being able to say these words, our nation's first woman vice president, vice president kamala harris. ♪ >> ladies and gentlemen, the vice president of the united states, kamala d. harris. ♪

>> good evening. it is my honor to be here, to stand on the shoulders of those who came before, to speak tonight as your vice president. in many ways this moment embodies our character as a nation. it demonstrates who we are, even in dark times. we not only dream, we do. we not only see what has been, we see what can be. we shoot for the moon and then we plant our flag on it. we are bold, fearless, and ambitious. we are undaunted in our belief that we shall overcome, that we will rise up. this is american aspiration. in the middle of the civil war abraham lincoln saw a better

future and built it with land grant colleges and the trans continental railroad. in the middle of the civil rights movement dr. king fought for racial justice and economic justice. american aspiration is what drove the women of this nation throughout history to demand equal rights and the authors of the bill of rights to claim freedoms that had rarely been written down before. a great experiment takes great determination. the will to do the work and then the wisdom to keep refining, keep tinkering, keep perfecting. the same determination is being realized in america today. i see it in the scientists who are transforming the future. i see it in the parents who are nurturing generations to come, in the innovators and the

educators, in everyone everywhere who is building a better life for themselves, their families, and their communities. this, too, is american aspiration. this is what president joe biden has called upon us to summon now. the courage to see beyond crisis, to do what is hard, to do what is good, to unite, to believe in ourselves, believe in our country, believe in what we can do together. thank you and may god bless america. >> and now, john legend.

♪ birds flying high you know how i feel sun in the sky you know how i feel breeze drifting on by you know how i feel it's a new dawn it's a new day it's a new life for me new dawn it's a new day a new life for me ♪ ♪ and i'm feeling good ♪ ♪ you know how i feel river running free you know how i feel you know how i feel

it's a new dawn it's a new day it's a new life for me and i'm feeling good ♪ ♪ dragon fly out in the sun you know what i mean don't you know butterflies are having fun you know what i mean ♪ ♪ sleeping peaceful day is done that's what i mean and this old world is a new world and a bold world for me ♪ ♪ stars when you shine you know how i feel ♪

♪ scent of the pine you know how i feel ♪ ♪ oh, freedom is mine i know how i feel ♪ ♪ it's a new dawn it's a new day it's a new life for me ♪ ♪ and i'm feeling good and i'm feeling -- ooh-ooh -- i -- i'm feeling good ♪ ♪ yeah i'm feeling good ♪

>> more inspiring stories are coming up on "celebrating america. " >> ladies and gentlemen, i'd like to welcome you all to pass the mic, inaugural edition coming to you live as we celebrate america, president joe biden and viep kamala harris. i said the party has just begun. today is the start of something new. it is the start of coming together for the soul of america so i'm going to pass the mic around the nation to spread love from one home to another. let the celebration begin. you ready ozuna?

>> i'm ready cassidy. let's go. >> i'm ready, too. here we go. ♪ [ singing in other language ] >> hey bounce to the beat just bounce to the beat just bounce ♪ ♪ ozuna and cassidy ♪ ♪ [ singing in other language ]

♪ bounce to the beat just bounce to the beat bounce to the beat just bounce ♪ ♪ the place to be to celebrate america with the family ♪ ♪ hey luis. >> what's going on, cass? >> welcome to the celebration. >> thank you. happy to be here. let's celebrate. >> let's spread some love. >> here we go. ♪ [ singing in other language ] >> say what? you look so beautiful out there. [ singing in other language ] >> you feel good? i feel good. ♪ singing in other language ] ♪

>> oh, yeah we gonna dance. we gonna sing. here we go. ♪ [ singing in other language ] >> sing! >> let's go. now i'd like to thank ozuna. my name is de-jay cassidy and this is pass the mic from my home to yours and around the nation we celebrate america. president biden and vice president harris, we stand with you in unity, one love, shared love, spread love. ♪

>> the celebration of america continues. during the past year, as the pandemic exploded across the country, our nation's doctors and nurses put their lives on the line, yes, they did. to keep us safe and to tend to our ailments. the toll of these weeks of 24-hour shifts was brutal on our medical professionals. they're only human. but they found inventive ways to cope with super human demands. >> this crisis has showed the nation we literally couldn't survive without you all. i mean that sincerely. you've been protecting our communities for months. you're being called on once again as the virus surges across the nation. but i want to thank you for everything you're doing to keep communities safe. it's not hyperbole.

you're heroes. >> i'm sandra lindsay an icu nurse at north view health in new york and the first american to officially get the covid vaccine. our nurses care for thousands of covid patients daily. we're often the last people to hold their hands. it has taken a toll on so many of us on the front lines. but i'm proud of our work and honored to represent millions of health care workers around the country. and now from nashville, here are tyler hubbard and tim mcgraw. >> to sandra lindsay and all of our health care and front line workers, thank ow. when i was in quarantine with covid-19 i got to take a good, hard look at myself. inspired by my faith in god to reunite our country i wrote this song and i sent it to tim. >> this song is a message of

unity and faith. it stirred my soul. tonight especially as we look across the river at our strong, resilient, beautiful city of nashville, we're honored to sing it for everyone. ♪ billy got picked on in school the things he couldn't change he tried his best to play it cool but he was 7th grade ♪ ♪ you either fit right in or you don't fit that's just the cold hard truth i wish that i'd have been a friend to billy that he never knew ♪ ♪ i think it's time to come together you and i can make a change maybe we can make a difference make the world a better place ♪ ♪ look around and love somebody

we been hateful long enough let the good lord reunite us to this country that we love undivided ♪ >> yep. ♪ you either go to church or you're going to go to hell get a job work or you're going to go to jail i just wish we didn't think like that why has it got to be all white or all black when we gonna learn to try on someone's shoes sometimes ♪ ♪ when we gonna start to see through someone else's eyes ♪ ♪ i think it's time to come together you and i could make a change maybe we can make a difference make the world a better place look around and love somebody we been hateful long enough let the good lord reunite us till this country that we love is undivided ♪ ♪ oh, yeah ♪ ♪ undivided ♪

♪ oh, yeah ♪ ♪ we're all the same to god no matter what we get his love i'm tired of looking left or right so i'm just looking up ♪ ♪ i think it's time to kottoget you and i can make a change maybe we can make a difference make the world a better place ♪ ♪ look around and love somebody we been hateful long enough let the good lord reunite us till this country that we love's undivided ♪ ♪ oh, yeah ♪ ♪ undivided ♪ ♪ oh, yeah ♪ ♪ you either go to church or you're gonna go to hell, get a job work or you're going to go to jail why does it have to be all white or all black ♪

>> next, presidents clinton, bush, and obama and we'll be inside the white house for our finale "celebrating america." >> despite the obstacles of the past year we've seen americans support each other time and time again. today's parade across america a virtual road show featuring people from across the country paid a tribute to just some of these american heroes on the front lines of the pandemic. united to celebrate this hopeful day. >> hello, america. >> we're honored to be here today. >> want to be here today to make american history again. >> let's get united america.

>> like america we come from all over so really we are one united team. >> we're united. >> our american spirit allows us to have hope. ♪ >> we all believe that we are better when we unite together. >> so america born. >> we salute our commander-in-chief joseph r.

biden. our nation's first woman vice president, vice president kamala harris. >> the honor of our lives. >> an event that connects and unites americans. >> living in equality and justice for all. >> all across america. >> shine on. >> no matter who you are or where you're from. >> inspire others to change the world. >> bring joy and hope. >> let's get united, america. >> now it's my honor to introduce three people to offer their reflections on what today meant to them and to our great country. here are presidents bill clinton, george bush, and barack obama. >> well, good evening, america. obviously there was a personal element to see my former vice

president become the 46th president, to see kamala harris as our first woman vice president, but more broadly, i think inaugurations signal a tradition of a peaceful transfer of power that is over two centuries old. >> i think the fact that the three of us are standing here talking about a peaceful transfer of power speaks to the institutional integrity of our country. >> so this is an unusual thing. we are both trying to come back to normalcy, deal with totally abnormal challenges, and do what we do best, which is try to make a more perfect union. it's an exciting time. >> we've got to not just listen to folks we agree with but listen to folks we don't. you know, one of my fondest memories of the inauguration was the grace and generosity that

president bush showed me and laura bush showed michelle. it was a reminder that we can have fierce disagreements and yet recognize each other's common humanity and that as americans we have more in common than what separates us >> i think if americans would love their neighbor like they would like to be loved themselves, a lot of the division in our society would end. >> that's what this means. it's a new beginning. and everybody needs to get off their high horse and reach out to their friends and neighbors and try to make it possible. >> if, in fact, as george said, we're looking for what binds us together, the american people are strong. they're tough. they can get through hardship. and there's no problem they can't solve when we're working together. i think that was the theme of joe's inaugural speech and i think all of us discovered that

we're at our best when we're all moving in the same direction. >> america is a generous country with people with great hearts. all three of us were lucky to be the president of this country. >> mr. president, i'm pulling for your success. your success is our country's success. and god bless you. >> i'm glad you're there. and i wish you well. you have spoken for us today. now you will lead for us. and we're ready to march with you. good luck, god bless you. >> joe, i'm proud of you. and you and kamala need to know that you've got all of us here rooting for your success, keeping you in our prayers, and we will be available in any ways that we can as citizens to help you guide our country forward. wish you god speed. >> when our former presidents

unite like that, much of the rest of the world must marvel at what america is. at what americans can do. well, now, we'll celebrate more of america's doctors and nurses as they are joined by our friends and neighbors for a performance of in los angeles here's demi lovato. ♪ when i wake up in the morning love and the sunlight hurts my eyes ♪ ♪ then i look at you and the

world's all right with me just one look at you and i know ♪ ♪ it's going to be a lovely day, a lovely day seems impossible to face ♪ ♪ when someone else instead of me always seems to know the way but then i look at you ♪ ♪ and the world's all right with

me just one look at you and i know it's going to be ♪ ♪ a lovely day, a lovely day when day lies ahead of me seems impossible to face ♪ ♪ and someone else instead of me always seems to know the way then i look at you ♪ ♪ and the world's all right with

me, oh, just one look at you and i know it's going to be ♪ ♪ a lovely day, a lovely day ♪ ♪

>> ladies and gentlemen, katey perry. ♪ do you ever feel like a plastic bag wanting to start again ♪ ♪ do you ever feel like a house of cards one blow and caving in ♪ ♪ do you ever feel already buried deep, 6 feet under scr screams no one seems to hear ♪ ♪ a thing ignite the light and let it shine just like on the

night of the fourth of july ♪ ♪ because baby you're a firework come on show them what you're worth ♪ ♪ make them go oh, oh, oh, as you shoot across the sky baby you're a firework ♪ ♪ come on let your colors burst you're going to leave them going ♪ ♪ you don't have to feel like a waste of space you're original cannot be replaced ♪ ♪ if you only knew what the future holds after a hurricane comes a rainbow ♪ ♪ maybe a reason why all the doors are closed so you could

open one that leads ♪ ♪ you to the perfect one you've just got to ignite the light and let it shine just like ♪ ♪ on the night of the fourth of july because baby you're a firework come on show them ♪ ♪ what you're worth make them go oh, oh, oh, as you shoot across the sky ♪ ♪ baby you're a firework come on let your colors burst make them go oh, oh, oh, ♪ ♪ going to leave them going oh, oh, oh, boom, boom, boom even

brighter than the moon, moon ♪ ♪ moon it's always been inside of you baby you're a firework come on show them ♪ ♪ what you're worth as you shoot across the sky make them go oh, oh, oh, ♪ ♪ you're going to leave them going oh, oh, oh, boom, boom, boom even brighter ♪ ♪ than the moon, moon, moon,

boom, boom, boom even brighter than the moon, moon, moon ♪ >> oh, yeah. fireworks in the sky over our nation's capitol. january 20, 2021. this has been a uniquely historic inauguration day. thanks to all of our performers, friends and neighbors who celebrated america with us. and once again, congratulations president biden and vice president harris. godspeed your efforts. from the lincoln memorial, good night, america.

>> extraordinary fireworks display over washington, d.c. as the celebration of the inauguration of president biden comes to a close. welcome back to our continuing coverage, an extraordinary display not only of fireworks but of star power coming out for this new administration celebrating the united states and celebrating clearly what they hope will be a big difference from the last administration. van jones? >> shock and awesome. after the rain the rainbow. this is -- what you saw was a psa advertising the america that we can be, the america that biden is promising is available to us. and you got the chance to see it. and the thing about, you know, moments like this, you know, politics it's about policy, it's

about votes. it's also about the spirit of the country and there's a cultural dimension to this. and biden was able to get the culture online. he had every kind of cultural force saying this is who we want to be. it's been medicine all day long. but, listen, when you see that kind of literally firepower -- the firepower coming back online, just beautiful. >> you think back to the poem also amanda gormen said earlier today. she said we will rise from the windswept northeast where our forefathers first formed a revolution rebuild in every nook of our nation, every corner of our country, our people diverse and beautiful will emerge battered and beautiful.