January 20, 2021 - PBS NewsHour full episode

This day has seen the inauguration of Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr. as the 46th president of the United States. He was sworn in Wednesday to lead the nation into the post-Trump era, facing deep political divisions and the worst public health crisis in a century. And Kamala Harris made history as the first woman and first person of color to be sworn in as vice president. John Yang reports.

President Biden began his time in office by signing 17 executive actions, with plans to undo many of former President Trump's signature policies, like rejoining the Paris climate accord and beginning a national mask mandate on federal property. Biden's actions came as confirmation hearings for his Cabinet continued in Congress. Yamiche Alcindor and Lisa Desjardins join Judy Woodruff to discuss.

In years past, the National Mall is normally filled with tens of thousands of people attending a presidential inauguration. But those crowds were missing for the swearing in of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, amid the pandemic and a massive security apparatus in place after violent insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol. Amna Nawaz and Nick Schifrin join Judy Woodruff to discuss.

In his inaugural speech Wednesday, President Biden spoke of unity in a country now facing a torrent of crises. James Fallows, a journalist, long-time writer for The Atlantic and former speechwriter for President Jimmy Carter, joins Judy Woodruff for reaction to the history-making day.

An important glass ceiling was broken Wednesday when Kamala Harris became the country's first female vice president. Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton is a longtime civil rights activist and she also represents the District of Columbia in Congress. She joins Judy Woodruff to discuss Harris’ accomplishments, President Biden’s agenda, and security in Washington.

New York Rep. Nicole Malliotakis just began her first term in the House and on Monday was named an assistant Republican whip. She joins Judy Woodruff to discuss how Republicans are viewing the new president and his agenda.

Former President Donald Trump's final hours in office included one final sweep of pardons and commutations -- involving 144 people in all, many who are notable Trump political allies. Stephanie Sy spoke with Dan Kobil, a Capital University law professor, to discuss.

President Biden's inauguration featured unusual imagery in response to some unusual circumstances. The temporary public art is intended to represent the American people and to unify the country. Jeffrey Brown reports as part of our arts and culture series, "CANVAS.”

In our news wrap Wednesday, as President Biden took office the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 climbed past 403,000, world governments largely welcomed Biden’s inauguration, China voiced hope for new cooperation with the U.S. under the Biden administration, and Israel's government raced to approve more housing in East Jerusalem and West Bank settlements before Trump left office.

How does this historic inauguration look to young people? Our Student Reporting Labs reached out to our network of high school journalism programs to find out what they hope the new administration accomplishes. Here they are in their own words.