Washington DC prepares for the historic day

The U.S. Capitol Building is prepared for President-Elect Joe Biden’s opening ceremonies when American flags are laid in the ground on the National Mall on January 18, 2021 in Washington, DC.

Joe Raedle | Getty Images

The nation will celebrate the inauguration of the 46th President of the United States on Wednesday, two weeks after the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol.

About 25,000 armed members of the National Guard will be on high alert when Joe Biden takes the oath to become the oldest president in history at 78. Kamala Harris will make history as the first female black South Asian Vice President.

The National Mall, which was historically filled with onlookers, will be closed to the public and will be dotted with 200,000 flags to represent the crowd that may have gathered. A small area in front of the Capitol was reserved for socially distant guests to draw attention to the coronavirus pandemic that killed more than 400,000 people in the United States

Workers install a president’s dedication sign

Workers install a presidential dedication sign at an inspection booth near the White House in Lafayette Park in Washington, DC, United States on Monday, January 18, 2021.

Al Drago | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Members of the military band in 18th century dress rehearsal outside the U.S. Capitol

Members of the military band in 18th century costumes rehearse near Capitol Hill in the United States ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden on January 18, 2021 in Washington, USA.

Joshua Roberts | Reuters

Limited seating and social distance in front of the US Capitol

The chairs are socially positioned as preparations for President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony take place on January 16, 2021 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC.

Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | AFP | Getty Images

View of the National Mall from the opening stage

The chairs are socially positioned as preparations for President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony take place on January 16, 2021 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC.

Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | AFP | Getty Images

The National Guard secures the US Capitol grounds before Biden’s inauguration

President-elect Biden’s inauguration ceremony is being rehearsed in front of the White House

President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony will be rehearsed on January 18, 2021 in front of the White House in Washington, USA.

Jim Bourg | Reuters

A Biden Harris housewarming banner outside the White House

Signage for the presidential inauguration on a barrier in front of the White House in Washington, DC, the United States, on Monday, Jan. 18, 2021.

Al Drago | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Members of a U.S. Forces Honor Guard during a dress rehearsal

Members of a U.S. Army Honor Guard during a dress rehearsal prior to the 59th opening ceremonies at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, the United States, on Monday, Jan. 18, 2021.

Al Drago | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Deputy for the elected President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden during rehearsals

During the rehearsal for the opening ceremony for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris, a deputy for President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in on the podium January 18, 2021 in Washington, DC.

Patrick Semansky | Getty Images

White House Navy guards rehearse Biden’s arrival next to a window smashed by insurgents in the U.S. Capitol

White House marine guards rehearse the arrival of President-elect Joe Biden next to a window smashed by insurgents as they marched into the U.S. Capitol, ahead of a dress rehearsal for the 59th opening ceremony for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris in the U.S. Capitol on January 18, 2021 in Washington, DC.

Jim Lo Scalzo | AFP | Getty Images

Biden volunteers on MLK day before his inauguration

US President-elect Joe Biden volunteers at Philabundance in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, on January 18, 2021.

Tom Brenner | Reuters

Vice-President-elect Harris waves as she and her husband Doug Emhoff (R) prepare to pack bags of groceries as they volunteer at Martha’s table

Inaugural souvenirs by Biden Harris on display in Washington DC

Biden Harris housewarming will be on display in a shop in Union Station in Washington, DC on January 14, 2021.

Stefani Reynolds | Getty Images News | Getty Images

A worker sets a US flag on the National Mall

A worker plants an American flag along the National Mall in Washington, DC, United States on Monday, January 18, 2021.

Stefani Reynolds | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Members of a U.S. Forces Honor Guard during a dress rehearsal

Members of a U.S. Army Honor Guard during a dress rehearsal prior to the 59th opening ceremonies at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, the United States, on Monday, Jan. 18, 2021.

Graeme Sloane | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Security around the US Capitol is strict

Members of the New York National Guard guard the fence surrounding the U.S. Capitol the day after the House of Representatives voted against President Donald Trump for the second time on January 14, 2021 in Washington, DC.

Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images

The FBI continues to investigate the riot at the U.S. Capitol

A notice board shows people being wanted by police on suspicion of attacking federal officials in the U.S. Capitol during the riot. The US capital is tightening security measures before the inauguration of US President-elect Biden on January 20.

Yegor Aleyev | TASS | Getty Images

The stage is to usher in the Biden presidency

A general overview of preparations for a dress rehearsal for the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden at the US Capitol in Washington, USA, on January 18, 2021.

Patrick Semansky | Reuters

View of the Washington Monument across a flag field

Spotlights illuminate the sky from the National Mall’s “flag field” in honor of the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden in Washington, USA, on January 18, 2021.

Jim Bourg | Reuters

Flag field on the National Mall

The “Field of Flags” is pictured on the National Mall as the US Capitol Building prepares for the dedication ceremonies for President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-Elect Kamala Harris on January 18, 2021 in Washington, DC.

Timothy A. Clary | AFP | Getty Images