A group of soldiers pauses at the Lincoln Memorial before dawn on Inauguration Day. Barack Obama and his family visited the monument on the eve of his inauguration as the 44th president of the United States. (Jeff Zelevansky / Getty Images)
Walter Cutter arrived at 4 a.m. to get a position for the parade at the intersection of F and 12th streets. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
Cocoa Jones sells newspapers to early arrivals at 5 a.m. on G Street. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
Trains in Washington are packed as crowds head toward the Capitol before dawn. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
The predawn sky begins to lighten behind the Capitol, arrayed for the inauguration of Barack Obama. (Win McNamee / Getty Images)
Hoping to claim spots to view the inauguration festivities, people camped out in the cold near the Washington Monument on the National Mall. (Matt Rourke / Associated Press)
Dense crowds form as people wait to gain access to the National Mall for the inauguration ceremonies. (Matt Rourke / Associated Press)
People wait in line for access to the inaugural parade route before the swearing-in of President-elect Barack Obama. (Rob Carr / Associated Press)
On the morning of the inauguration of Barack Obama, a vast sea of people appeared to stretch nearly the entire two-mile length of the National Mall, from Capitol Hill to the Lincoln Memorial. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
Violinist Itzhak Perlman, left, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma rehearse on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in preparation for Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
The presidential inaugural stand is set up in front of the U.S. Capitol. (Alex Wong / Getty Images)
A member of the security force keeping watch at the U.S. Capitol ahead of the presidential inauguration. (John Moore / Getty Images)
On Monday, preparations continued for Tuesday’s presidential inauguration, including the stage and sound system. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
Soldiers walk along the inaugural parade route near the White House. (Jewel Samad / AFP / Getty Images)
Visitors walk in the National Mall near the Washington Monument a day before the presidential inauguration. (Charlie Neibergall / Associated Press)
Work continues on the presidential inauguration platform where Barack Obama will be sworn in Tuesday. (Mark Wilson / Getty Images)
Capt. David Paroby, director of the Herald Trumpets, directs a musical selection during an inauguration dress rehearsal. (Win McNamee / Getty Images)
The inauguration involves thousands of law enforcement and safety personnel who must practice for the swearing-in ceremony and parade. (Paul J. Richards / AFP/Getty Images)
Army Staff Sgt. Derrick Brooks stands in for Barack Obama during an inauguration rehearsal. (Alex Wong / Getty Images)
Army Staff Sgt. Derrick Brooks stands in for President-elect Barack Obama, Navy Yeoman 1st. Class LaSean McCray stands in for his wife, Michelle, and Dominique Sewell and Gianna Justice Samora-Nixon stand in for daughters Malia and Sasha. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
Workers hang flags behind the inauguration platform. (Paul J. Richards / AFP/Getty Images)
The VIP seating behind the podium on the inauguration platform looks out toward the Washington Monument. (Paul J. Richards / AFP/Getty Images)
A worker in early December paints the stand for the inauguration platform. (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press)
The latest weather report for Tuesday predicts high temperatures in the mid-30s. As many as 2 million people are expected to attend. (Mark Wilson / Getty Images)
