The significance of the colour purple and 8 other inauguration moments you may have missed.

Joe Biden has been sworn in as the 46th President of the United States.

In a scaled-back ceremony in Washington DC, the 78-year-old became the oldest US president in history, while Kamala Harris became the first woman, the first Black person, and first Asian American to serve as vice president.

"This is America's day. This is democracy's day," Biden said in his inauguration speech.

Watch a clip from President Joe Biden's inauguration speech below. Post continues after video.

"A day of history and hope, of renewal and resolve, through a crucible for the ages, America has been tested anew and America has risen to the challenge.

"Today we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate but of a cause: the cause of democracy. At this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed."

Due to security concerns following the Capitol riots and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the inauguration was like no other.

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Instead of a throng of supporters, the National Mall was covered with nearly 200,000 flags and 56 pillars of light meant to represent people from US states and territories.

While former US presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton attended the ceremony, outgoing president Donald Trump opted out of the ceremony, becoming the first president to do so since 1869.

As President Joe Biden's first day in office begins, here are the moments you may have missed from the inauguration.

The man who escorted Kamala Harris.

Vice President Kamala Harris was escorted to the inauguration ceremony by Capitol Police officer Eugene Goodman.

Just weeks ago, Goodman was hailed a hero after leading rioters away from the Senate chambers where lawmakers were hiding.

He has been credited with potentially saving lives during the pro-Trump riots.

What a wild two weeks for our country but especially for people like Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman.

On Jan 6, he put his life on the line when he lured insurrectionists away from Senators and staff.

Two weeks later, he’s escorting VPE Kamala Harris into the US Capitol pic.twitter.com/zBKzQeJ3lR

— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) January 20, 2021

How it How it’s
Started Going pic.twitter.com/v9fuL5OphJ

— rainygay (@rainygay1) January 20, 2021

The Hamilton references in Amanda Gorman's poem.

At 22 years old, Amanda Gorman became the youngest inaugural poet in US history.

In her stirring poem, "The Hill We Climb", Gorman called for a better America as she referenced the January 6 riots at Capitol Hill.

"We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation rather than share it, would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy," she said.

As pointed out on Twitter, the poem also included some subtle references to Lin Manuel Miranda's musical, Hamilton.

Her poem included a Biblical quote which was referenced by George Washington in the Broadway hit: "They shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid." She also made a reference to the musical's song, 'History Has Its Eyes on You'.

"You were perfect. Perfectly written, perfectly delivered," Lin Manuel Miranda wrote in response on Twitter.

YES @TheAmandaGorman!!! -LMM

— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) January 20, 2021

Thx @Lin_Manuel ! Did you catch the 2 @HamiltonMusical references in the inaugural poem? I couldn’t help myself! https://t.co/22UTKkGTLq

— Amanda Gorman (@TheAmandaGorman) January 20, 2021

You were perfect. Perfectly written, perfectly delivered. Every bit of it. Brava! -LMM

— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) January 20, 2021

Bernie Sanders' viral mittens.

Bernie Sanders' mittens went viral on Twitter during the inauguration ceremony.

"In all the inauguration fashion news, let us not overlook Senator Bernie Sanders' mittens," New York Times fashion critic Vanessa Friedman tweeted.

Bernie dressed like the inauguration is on his to do list today but ain’t his whole day. pic.twitter.com/wCRyoxU3V2

— Reeezy (@MsReeezy) January 20, 2021

Bernie about to bounce before that parking lot becomes a nightmare. pic.twitter.com/FpuTpB9tfp

— Aubrey O'Day (@AubreyODay) January 20, 2021

Bernie is on his way to the post office. pic.twitter.com/prPPlqprqs

— Benjy Renton (@bhrenton) January 20, 2021

The politician also inspired countless memes as he waited for the ceremony to kick off.

these Bernie Sanders memes are the highlight of my day pic.twitter.com/IlajUwMOIa

— shum ♥ (@h2overwithlife) January 20, 2021

Here are some of my favourite #BernieSanders Inauguration Memes #berniesmittens #BernieSandersMittens #Bernie pic.twitter.com/oibr5mi3Qb

— James Hutchcraft (@JLFHutchcraft) January 20, 2021

The references in Jennifer Lopez's performance.

During the inauguration, Jennifer Lopez sang a medley of 'This Land Is Your Land' and 'America the Beautiful'.

During the performance, however, Lopez managed to sneak her own lyrics, 'Let's Get Loud', into the medley.

Watch Jennifer Lopez’s stunning mash up of ‘This Land Is Your Land’ and ‘America the Beautiful’ — with a little ‘Let’s Get Loud’ thrown in for good measure 🎵 pic.twitter.com/YoUYxxf4SO

— NowThis (@nowthisnews) January 20, 2021

Lopez also added a Spanish-language section from the Pledge of Allegiance, leaving some viewers in tears.

For the first time in my life I feel as if I was represented. Watching Kamala Harris take the oath and hearing Jlo recite part of the pledge of allegiance in Spanish brought tears to my eyes.. grateful my daughter was able to see that!! Thank you, Gracias Jennifer Lopez!! @JLo

— Drunken Citizen 🇨🇱🇺🇸🧩 (@JohnnyCTM69) January 20, 2021

The lone man in Delaware.

While Joe Biden was giving his inauguration address, a lone man in uniform was seen kneeling at the grave of Biden's late son, Beau Biden.

The man's identity is currently unknown.

Poignant moment: While Joe Biden gave his inauguration speech, a lone man in a uniform knelt at the Delaware grave of his son Beau. pic.twitter.com/QkCuJRHzTz

— Patricia Talorico (@PattyTalorico) January 20, 2021

Beau Biden was diagnosed with brain cancer in August 2013. 

He received radiation and chemotherapy treatments, but died on May 30, 2015. He was 46 years old.

Biden initially planned on running for US president in the 2016 election. However, he decided against it, knowing he wasn't ready following Beau's death.

The symbolism of the colour purple.

Vice President Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton, and Michelle Obama all wore various shades of purple for the inauguration.

On Twitter, many viewers pointed out that colour choice may have had symbolic meaning.

Kamala Harris is sworn in as vice president. Image: Getty.

Former US President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama. Image: Getty.

Former US President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton arrive for the inauguration. Image: Getty.

Many wondered whether the colour was used as a symbol of bipartisanship and unity. (Put simply, when you combine red and blue, the colours of the two US political parties, you get purple).

On the other hand, some believe that the colour was used as a nod to the women's suffrage movement as purple was one of the movement's official colours.

The HAIM comparisons.

When President Joe Biden's granddaughters arrived at the inauguration in colour-blocked coats, they stole the show.

Naomi, 27, Finnegan, 22, Maisy, 20, and Natalie, 16, drew comparisons to all-girl pop rock band Haim in their winter coats and matching face masks.

is this HAIM pic.twitter.com/PvOj6ADgdI

— Monica Patel (@monicapatel917) January 20, 2021

The COVID-19 regulations.

In terms of COVID-19 regulations, a man was reportedly employed at the inauguration to wipe down the podium between speakers.

Similarly, audience members were seen giving each other fist bumps and elbow taps due to social distancing guidelines.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris fist bump. Image: Getty.

Donald Trump's note.

While Donald Trump didn't attend the inauguration ceremony, the outgoing president upheld another tradition.

The outgoing president left a note for Joe Biden in the Oval Office, following a tradition that began with Ronald Reagan writing to George HW Bush.

"The president wrote a very generous letter," Biden said.

"Because it was private, I won't talk about it until I talk to him. But it was generous."

For more on this topic:

• The United States has a new President. Here is how the world reacted.
• Annoying pranks and nasty surprises: A recap of President Donald Trump's last day in the White House.
  

Feature Image: Getty.