Inauguration 2013 preparations are in full swing
A gift shop displays presidential memorabilia as Washington prepares for President Barack Obama’s second inauguration on January 19, 2013 in Washington, DC. The US capital is preparing for the second inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama, which will take place on January 21.
Inauguration preparations are in full force in Washington, DC this weekend, as the nation gears up for President Barack Obama's swearing-in ceremony on Monday.
President Obama and first lady Michelle are volunteering in the Washington area Saturday, as part of the National Day of Service the president enacted in 2009 as part of the pre-Inauguration schedule, the Associated Press reported.
Vice President Joe Biden and his family were prepping packages to send to soldiers overseas as well as veterans and first responders, and Chelsea Clinton kicked off the event.
Meanwhile, thousands of workers and volunteers were busy setting up the National Mall for Monday's events, which are expected to draw a crowd of around 800,000 people.
That's down from the 1.8 million who attended his initial inauguration in 2009, the first time America swore in an African-American president, the AP reported.
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