Extract from ABC News
Joe Biden has been sworn in as the 46th President of the United States, vowing to end the "uncivil war" in a deeply divided country reeling from a battered economy and a raging coronavirus pandemic.
Key points:
- Kamala Harris was sworn in as the first black, South-Asian and female Vice-President
- Outgoing president Donald Trump left Washington for Florida before the ceremony
- Mr Biden called on Americans to overcome their divisions during his inaugural speech
Mr Biden, led by Chief Justice John Roberts, gave the oath of office on a 127-year-old family Bible just before midday Wednesday local time at Washington DC's Capitol building.
"This is America's day," Mr Biden said to begin his inaugural address.
"This is democracy's day. A day of history and hope, of renewal and resolve."
At 78, he is the oldest person to become US president. 
A short time earlier Kamala Harris became the first black, South-Asian and female American to be vice-president.
Ms Harris was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina justice.
In attendance at the ceremony were former US presidents George W Bush, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, along with outgoing vice-president Mike Pence. 
Outgoing president Donald Trump did not attend the ceremony, breaking with more than 150 years of tradition. He left the White House to attend a farewell event at Joint Base Andrews in suburban Maryland before flying to Florida.
As Mr Trump left the White House, his helicopter flew over thousands of American and state flags planted in the National Mall, standing in for the hundreds of thousands of people who gathered for past inaugurations to watch the proceedings on big-screen televisions.
Biden references Capitol riot but says 'democracy has prevailed'
Ahead of the ceremony, the president-elect's motorcade wound its way through a mostly deserted Washington following a morning church service at the Cathedral of St Matthew the Apostle.
Streets that would typically be lined with thousands of inaugural onlookers were ringed instead with a massive security presence, including military vehicles and armed troops.
About 25,000 National Guard members were dispatched to Washington following the violent melee at the US Capitol two weeks ago.
"America has been tested anew and America has risen to the challenge," Mr Biden said during his inaugural speech.
"The will of the people has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded.
"We've learned again that democracy is precious, democracy is fragile, and at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.
"So now, on this hallowed ground, where just a few days ago violence sought to shake the Capitol's very foundation, we come together as one nation, under God, indivisible, to carry out the peaceful transfer of power, as we have for more than two centuries."
'Defend the truth and defeat the lies'
Mr Biden called on Americans to overcome their divisions, declaring in his first address in office that "without unity, there is no peace".
He also pledged that he would be honest with the country as it continues to confront difficulties, saying that leaders have an obligation "to defend the truth and defeat the lies".
He asked even those who did not vote for him to give him a chance.
"Hear me out as we move forward," he said.
As he did frequently during the campaign, Mr Biden pledged that he would be a "president for all Americans" and will "fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did".
"To overcome these challenges, to restore the soul and secure the future of America, requires so much more than words. It requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy: unity," he said.
"We can do this — if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts."
Gaga, Garth and Lopez bring the star power
The event had more than a touch of glitz and glamour.
Grammy-winning singer Lady Gaga wore a large dove pin and an equally large red billowing sculpted skirt as she sang into a golden microphone, delivering an emotional and powerful rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner.
She was followed by Jennifer Lopez, dressed all in white, delivering a moving medley of This Land is Your Land and America the Beautiful.
Garth Brooks sang Amazing Grace, pausing to ask the audience, both in attendance and at home, to sing along to the last verse.
As he left the podium, he shook hands with Mr Biden and Mr Pence, donned his cowboy hat and hugged former president Mr Obama.
Inaugural poet Amanda Gorman summoned images dire and triumphant as she called out to the world "even as we grieved, we grew".
Gorman is 22, by far the youngest inaugural poet since Robert Frost read for John F Kennedy in 1961.
'Soul of America'
Mr Biden's inauguration is the zenith of a five-decade career in public service that included more than three decades in the US Senate and two terms as vice-president under Mr Obama.
But he faces calamities that would challenge even the most experienced politician.
The pandemic in the US reached a pair of grim milestones on Mr Trump's final full day in office, reaching 400,000 US deaths and 24 million infections — the highest of any country.
Millions of Americans are out of work because of pandemic-related shutdowns and restrictions.
Mr Biden has vowed to bring the full weight of the Federal Government to bear on the crisis.
His top priority is a $US1.9 trillion plan ($2.45 trillion) that would enhance jobless benefits and provide direct cash payments to households.
But it will require approval from a deeply divided Congress, where Democrats hold slim advantages in both the House and Senate.
Ms Harris was scheduled to swear in three new Democratic senators late on Wednesday, creating a 50-50 split in the chamber with herself as the tie-breaking vote.
Mr Biden will waste little time trying to turn the page on the Trump era, advisers said, signing 15 executive actions on issues ranging from the pandemic to the economy to climate change.
The orders will include mandating masks on federal property, rejoining the Paris climate accord and ending Mr Trump's travel ban on some Muslim-majority countries.
Although Mr Biden has laid out a packed agenda for his first 100 days, including delivering 100 million COVID-19 vaccinations, the Senate could be consumed by Mr Trump's upcoming impeachment trial, which will move ahead even though he has left office.
ABC/wires
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