How America celebrated Vice President Kamala Harris’ historic moment in photos

inaugration_01 — President Joe Biden looks on as Kamala Harris waves to guests after being sworn in as the 49th vice president by Supreme Court justice Sonia Sotomayor at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)

The Undefeated

January 20, 2021

All the firsts for Kamala Harris are well known. As the 49th vice president, she becomes the first Black woman and South Asian American to occupy the nation’s second-highest position. The crowds typically present for an inauguration to witness the traditional pomp and circumstance were limited due to concerns of domestic terrorism and the spread of COVID-19. That didn’t stop the celebration. Many watched the events of the day through streaming and local television.

Harris, who is a Howard University graduate, didn’t leave the culture out of the experience. Members of Howard’s Showtime Marching Band escorted Harris into this historic moment, raising attention for historically Black colleges and universities.

No matter their location, people found ways to honor Harris such as wearing pearls as a nod to her sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha or don her preferred Converse sneakers.

Across the country, there were small gatherings, prayer circles and discussions about the significance of the moment. Photographers from Washington to Atlanta to Minneapolis to Los Angeles captured how the day was celebrated.

View

President Joe Biden looks on as Kamala Harris waves to guests after being sworn in as the 49th vice president by Supreme Court justice Sonia Sotomayor at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)

President Joe Biden looks on as Kamala Harris waves to guests after being sworn in as the 49th vice president by Supreme Court justice Sonia Sotomayor at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
From left to right: Zara Watkins, 7, Zylaa Dwyer, 10, and Liyah Nova Watkins, 4, throw confetti on their grandmother Cerise Harris at a family inauguration party in Washington. (Dee Dwyer for The Undefeated)

From left to right: Zara Watkins, 7, Zylaa Dwyer, 10, and Liyah Nova Watkins, 4, throw confetti on their grandmother Cerise Harris at a family inauguration party in Washington. (Dee Dwyer for The Undefeated)
Larry Watkins, 28, watched the inauguration with his family in Washington. "It's cool to see Kamala Harris become the first Black woman vice president. I hope my daughters are inspired to be big in life and to reach for their dreams." (Dee Dwyer for The Undefeated)

Larry Watkins, 28, watched the inauguration with his family in Washington. "It's cool to see Kamala Harris become the first Black woman vice president. I hope my daughters are inspired to be big in life and to reach for their dreams." (Dee Dwyer for The Undefeated)
Zylaa Dwyer watched the inauguration from her grandparents' living room and said afterward, "I'm happy we have a Black woman vice president. Kamala Harris inspires me. I feel I can be the president one day." (Dee Dwyer for The Undefeated)

Zylaa Dwyer watched the inauguration from her grandparents' living room and said afterward, "I'm happy we have a Black woman vice president. Kamala Harris inspires me. I feel I can be the president one day." (Dee Dwyer for The Undefeated)
Zara Watkins (left) enjoys the party as her grandparents Cerise Harris (center) and Larry Watkins (right) watch the inauguration in their living room. (Dee Dwyer for The Undefeated)

Zara Watkins (left) enjoys the party as her grandparents Cerise Harris (center) and Larry Watkins (right) watch the inauguration in their living room. (Dee Dwyer for The Undefeated)
Liyah Nova Watkins watched the inauguration with her grandparents and later said, "I feel so happy that we have a new president." (Dee Dwyer for The Undefeated)

Liyah Nova Watkins watched the inauguration with her grandparents and later said, "I feel so happy that we have a new president." (Dee Dwyer for The Undefeated)
Nialah Edari of Harlem, New York, said: "The first Black woman, a South Asian woman, a Howard woman and a woman of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. will serve as the vice president. As a Black woman and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., this day is extraordinary and symbolic. As an activist, I understand the work is not done, but today, I choose joy." (Flo Ngala for The Undefeated)

Nialah Edari of Harlem, New York, said: "The first Black woman, a South Asian woman, a Howard woman and a woman of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. will serve as the vice president. As a Black woman and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., this day is extraordinary and symbolic. As an activist, I understand the work is not done, but today, I choose joy." (Flo Ngala for The Undefeated)
Satrina Boyce of Harlem, New York, celebrated at home for a few reasons on Jan. 20. As the mother of two Black sons, the wife of an essential worker, an alumna of a historically Black university and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha like Vice President Kamala Harris, she said that seeing this transfer of power means a future where her day-to-day life is a lot less stressful. (Flo Ngala for The Undefeated)

Satrina Boyce of Harlem, New York, celebrated at home for a few reasons on Jan. 20. As the mother of two Black sons, the wife of an essential worker, an alumna of a historically Black university and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha like Vice President Kamala Harris, she said that seeing this transfer of power means a future where her day-to-day life is a lot less stressful. (Flo Ngala for The Undefeated)
Native New Yorker Regina Fleming said, "It feels like I received everything in more in the last 24 hours ... we have a woman of integrity, a woman put on this earth with a purpose who is a woman for all people. She's a force to be reckoned with." (Flo Ngala for The Undefeated)

Native New Yorker Regina Fleming said, "It feels like I received everything in more in the last 24 hours ... we have a woman of integrity, a woman put on this earth with a purpose who is a woman for all people. She's a force to be reckoned with." (Flo Ngala for The Undefeated)
New Yorker Delani Young, a sophomore at Howard University, said, "I feel strong, I feel liberated, I feel like this country now is on the path to change and positivity. We are just so happy as Howard Bison and Black people everywhere." (Flo Ngala for The Undefeated)

New Yorker Delani Young, a sophomore at Howard University, said, "I feel strong, I feel liberated, I feel like this country now is on the path to change and positivity. We are just so happy as Howard Bison and Black people everywhere." (Flo Ngala for The Undefeated)
Arva Rice, president and CEO of the New York Urban League, said, "This day is such an amazing moment for all of our women. We have a role model who eats 'no' for breakfast. I'm so inspired by her and the fact that she is standing up for all of us." (Flo Ngala for The Undefeated)

Arva Rice, president and CEO of the New York Urban League, said, "This day is such an amazing moment for all of our women. We have a role model who eats 'no' for breakfast. I'm so inspired by her and the fact that she is standing up for all of us." (Flo Ngala for The Undefeated)
Cake Man Raven, speaking from outside his business in Harlem, New York, said, "What we had that represented the U.S. to the world was the worst ... so to now have Biden and sister Kamala Harris elevated to the highest nation is just great." (Flo Ngala for The Undefeated)

Cake Man Raven, speaking from outside his business in Harlem, New York, said, "What we had that represented the U.S. to the world was the worst ... so to now have Biden and sister Kamala Harris elevated to the highest nation is just great." (Flo Ngala for The Undefeated)
Kayla Hug of Harlem, New York, said: "As a future attorney, as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, as a Black woman, I really can’t put into words what this day means to me. I was surprised to find tears in my eyes as I watched Kamala being sworn in today. This country’s history has told us time and again that we do not matter and we never fail to prove them wrong. There is so much work left to do, but today, I am inspired and feeling more ready than ever for the fight ahead." (Flo Ngala for The Undefeated)

Kayla Hug of Harlem, New York, said: "As a future attorney, as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, as a Black woman, I really can’t put into words what this day means to me. I was surprised to find tears in my eyes as I watched Kamala being sworn in today. This country’s history has told us time and again that we do not matter and we never fail to prove them wrong. There is so much work left to do, but today, I am inspired and feeling more ready than ever for the fight ahead." (Flo Ngala for The Undefeated)
Stacey Scott (right) talks to her daughter, Meredeth (left), about the importance of the moment during the inauguration as they watched from their home in Atlanta. (Lynsey Weatherspoon for The Undefeated)

Stacey Scott (right) talks to her daughter, Meredeth (left), about the importance of the moment during the inauguration as they watched from their home in Atlanta. (Lynsey Weatherspoon for The Undefeated)
Sherri Daye Scott of Atlanta wears a T-shirt with a photo of Vice President Kamala Harris as a child. Scott is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. (Lynsey Weatherspoon for The Undefeated)

Sherri Daye Scott of Atlanta wears a T-shirt with a photo of Vice President Kamala Harris as a child. Scott is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. (Lynsey Weatherspoon for The Undefeated)
Women's rights activist Emiliana Guereca (left), who was born in Mexico, celebrates with her children as she hosted a remote inauguration watch party from her home in Los Angeles. Guereca, whose family immigrated from Mexico and arrived in the U.S. undocumented, is the founder of Women's March Los Angeles and president of the Women's March LA Foundation. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Women's rights activist Emiliana Guereca (left), who was born in Mexico, celebrates with her children as she hosted a remote inauguration watch party from her home in Los Angeles. Guereca, whose family immigrated from Mexico and arrived in the U.S. undocumented, is the founder of Women's March Los Angeles and president of the Women's March LA Foundation. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Brieana Hackney, 12, of the Metropolitan Tennis Education Group in Washington, plays "Inaugural Bingo" with fellow students, which challenges them to match words spoken during the presidential inauguration. (Tony Mobley for The Undefeated)

Brieana Hackney, 12, of the Metropolitan Tennis Education Group in Washington, plays "Inaugural Bingo" with fellow students, which challenges them to match words spoken during the presidential inauguration. (Tony Mobley for The Undefeated)
From left to right: Brieana Hackney, Tyler DeLon, Shellie DeLon, Joshua Bright and Bailey Hackney of the Metropolitan Tennis Education Group observe the 46th presidential inauguration. (Tony Mobley for The Undefeated)

From left to right: Brieana Hackney, Tyler DeLon, Shellie DeLon, Joshua Bright and Bailey Hackney of the Metropolitan Tennis Education Group observe the 46th presidential inauguration. (Tony Mobley for The Undefeated)
Tyler DeLon, 11, a student-athlete in the Metropolitan Tennis Education Group, said it was "really cool to see someone who is African American become vice president" and it made him "feel proud" to witness the historic moment. (Tony Mobley for The Undefeated)

Tyler DeLon, 11, a student-athlete in the Metropolitan Tennis Education Group, said it was "really cool to see someone who is African American become vice president" and it made him "feel proud" to witness the historic moment. (Tony Mobley for The Undefeated)
Eureka Johnson (right) and her daughter Shunte (left) work at Sammy's Eatery in North Minneapolis. Sammy's is a staple in the community, and was a safe haven during the civil unrest that erupted after the killing of George Floyd while in police custody in May 2020. Eureka Johnson made it a point to talk with her kids about Vice President Kamala Harris and this powerful, emotional, historic moment. "I feel like we're making progress, with women, with Black women. And although we've got a long way to go, I think it's going to bring about a great change I'm excited to see," Johnson said. (Nina Robinson for The Undefeated)

Eureka Johnson (right) and her daughter Shunte (left) work at Sammy's Eatery in North Minneapolis. Sammy's is a staple in the community, and was a safe haven during the civil unrest that erupted after the killing of George Floyd while in police custody in May 2020. Eureka Johnson made it a point to talk with her kids about Vice President Kamala Harris and this powerful, emotional, historic moment. "I feel like we're making progress, with women, with Black women. And although we've got a long way to go, I think it's going to bring about a great change I'm excited to see," Johnson said. (Nina Robinson for The Undefeated)
Benita Umoja, a member of the New Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, says, "I'm excited to be here to see it because I'm 70 years old." (Nevil Jackson for The Undefeated)

Benita Umoja, a member of the New Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, says, "I'm excited to be here to see it because I'm 70 years old." (Nevil Jackson for The Undefeated)
Members of the New Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church break from setting up food donations to pray for health, prosperity, those affected by COVID-19 and a peaceful transition for the new administration. (Nevil Jackson for The Undefeated)

Members of the New Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church break from setting up food donations to pray for health, prosperity, those affected by COVID-19 and a peaceful transition for the new administration. (Nevil Jackson for The Undefeated)
Tonya Harris, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, shows her support for Vice President Kamala Harris by wearing pearls and her sorority sweater in Atlanta the day of the inauguration. (Lynsey Weatherspoon for The Undefeated)

Tonya Harris, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, shows her support for Vice President Kamala Harris by wearing pearls and her sorority sweater in Atlanta the day of the inauguration. (Lynsey Weatherspoon for The Undefeated)
Raaga Golla decorates a cake she baked at her home in Chesterfield, Missouri, for the presidential inauguration party she is throwing for her friends. Golla, who is 10 years old, is a first-generation Indian American. (Neeta Satam for The Undefeated)

Raaga Golla decorates a cake she baked at her home in Chesterfield, Missouri, for the presidential inauguration party she is throwing for her friends. Golla, who is 10 years old, is a first-generation Indian American. (Neeta Satam for The Undefeated)
Raaga Golla works on some of the details for the cake she baked at her home for the presidential inauguration party she is throwing for her friends. (Neeta Satam for The Undefeated)

Raaga Golla works on some of the details for the cake she baked at her home for the presidential inauguration party she is throwing for her friends. (Neeta Satam for The Undefeated)
Raaga Golla (center) and her friends celebrate Vice President Kamala Harris at the inauguration party at Krupa Golla's home. (Neeta Satam for The Undefeated)

Raaga Golla (center) and her friends celebrate Vice President Kamala Harris at the inauguration party at Krupa Golla's home. (Neeta Satam for The Undefeated)