President Obama's second inaugural concluded with a star-studded, tradition-filled - and smaller, if still jam-packed - day of festivities that stretched from Capitol Hill to two glittering, official inaugural balls.

Official estimates of the attendance at the swearing-in ceremony and parade are hard to come by: U.S. Park Police and D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier both would not release them Monday.

But an inauguration planning official says turnout was "definitely above 800,000" and possibly up to one million people. Chris Geldart, who directs the District of Columbia's homeland security and emergency management agency, says early and unofficial estimates of the number of people on the National Mall indicate a turnout higher than 800,000, based on aerial views of how the crowd filled sections of the mall.

Metro said ridership on the system was about 70 percent of what it was four years ago - and was, in fact, close to ridership on a normal weekday.

For the crowds that filled the security zone on the National Mall to capacity, and who lined the parade route afterward, the number didn't matter.

"We saw the president of the United States, and it was just amazing to be here on Dr. King's holiday," one parade-goer told News4's Chris Gordon. "From the 'I have a dream' to the dream is real, to go home and protect the dream - it's just amazing."

For the second time in as many days Monday, President Obama swore to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, beginning his second term as America's 44th president.

• WATCH: President Barack Obama Takes The Oath Of Office

Obama, who was administered the official oath of office by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts in a brief Blue Room ceremony Sunday, swore the oath publicly at the West Front of the Capitol Monday on Bibles used by Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. before delivering an 18-minute address that called for the preservation of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid; equal pay for women; equal rights for gay Americans; and action on climate change.

• Full Transcript: President Barack Obama's Second Inaugural Address

"This generation of Americans has been tested by crises that steeled our resolve and proved our resilience," the president said. "A decade of war is now ending. An economic recovery has begun. America’s possibilities are limitless, for we possess all the qualities that this world without boundaries demands ... My fellow Americans, we are made for this moment, and we will seize it – so long as we seize it together."

• PHOTOS: President Obama's Second Inaugration

Some of Obama's speech echoed his fall re-election campaign against Republican challenger Mitt Romney, such as his statement that "we, the people, understand that our country cannot succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it.

"The commitments we make to each other -- through Medicare, and Medicaid, and Social Security -- these things do not sap our initiative; they strengthen us," Obama said. "They do not make us a nation of takers; they free us to take the risks that make this country great."

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The speech was comparatively light on foreign policy, and there was no direct mention of the ongoing commitment of American and NATO troops in Afghanistan, where combat operations are due to end in 2014. 

"We, the people, still believe that enduring security and lasting peace do not require perpetual war," Obama said. "We will defend our people and uphold our values through strength of arms and rule of law ... We will support democracy from Asia to Africa; from the Americas to the Middle East, because our interests and our conscience compel us to act on behalf of those who long for freedom."

Obama's remarks on climate change were more expansive, as he said the failure to "respond to the threat ... would betray our children and future generations. Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires, and crippling drought, and more powerful storms."

That segued into a call for the development of renewable energy sources, a process that the president said would be "long and sometimes difficult. But America cannot resist this transition; we must lead it. We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries – we must claim its promise. That is how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure – our forests and waterways; our croplands and snowcapped peaks. That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God. That’s what will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared."

The president did not make any direct mention of gun control or gun legislation. Nor did the word    "gun" pass Obama's lips. Instead, there was this oblique statement: "Our journey is not complete until all our children, from the streets of Detroit to the hills of Appalachia to the quiet lanes of Newtown, know that they are cared for, and cherished, and always safe from harm."

Obama devoted only a single sentence of his remarks to immigration reform, which many believe will be a top priority of his second term: "Our journey is not complete until we find a better way to welcome the striving, hopeful immigrants who still see America as a land of opportunity; until bright young students and engineers are enlisted in our workforce rather than expelled from our country."

The ceremony was carried out before dozens of dignitaries and an estimated crowd of at least 500,000 people who packed the National Mall.

Crowds began to gather early Monday, after access points to the parade route opened before 7 a.m. Roads had already closed throughout the District, and there were lines at suburban Metro stations even before the system opened at 4 a.m., reported News4 Transportation reporter Adam Tuss.

The crowds in the early morning were manageable, already seeming to be considerably smaller than the crowds that swelled to almost 2 million people for Obama's first inauguration four years ago.

This time aruond, U.S. Park Police announced that the Mall was full and closed shortly after the beginning of the inaugural ceremony and began directing pedestrians to an overflow area near the Washington Monument.

However, some who hoped to hear the president's inaugural address were frustrated by a malfunctioning Jumbotron. Marcia DeSouza of Gaithersburg said she and her best friend, Nina Rodrigues, of Rockville, were unable to hear Obama's speech due to speaker problems near the monument.

No official crowd estimate was provided by Park Police.

The inaugural ceremony was a star-studded affair, featuring musical performances by the United States Marine Band, James Taylor, and Kelly Clarkson. Beyonce, who attended the inauguration with husband Jay-Z, closed the ceremony with a performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Following a leisurely luncheon -- complete with toasts and gifts -- President Obama, Vice President Biden, and their wives departed from the East Front of the Capitol on the Inaugural Parade route, which would take them from the Capitol to the reviewing stand in front of the White House.

The slow cruise down Pennsylvania Avenue was interrupted when the president and first lady disembarked just past the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and 9th Street Northwest, rewarding spectators who had been waiting for most of the day to catch a glimpse of the first family as the music of Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson and Nick Cannon blared from loudspeakers.

Witnesses reported that first lady Michelle Obama got slightly louder cheers than her husband, while D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray and Vice President Joe Biden also received warm applause. The Obamas returned to their vehicle after walking for about a block.

Susan Bagley of Phildelphia came to D.C. with her mother, brother, "future sister-in-law," husband, and 12-year-old daughter. They didn't have tickets and couldn't get onto the Mall for the ceremony even after three hours of trying, so they waited in line get on the parade route.

"This day represents so much for us," Bagley said. "My grandmother's 95 and just for her to see the first African-American president get into office is amazing for her. We're out here for her. My son, who voted for the first time, we're out here for him. We're out here for everyone."

At Pennsylvania Avenue and 11th Street, a woman from Silver Spring named Evelyn, who would not give her last name, fondly remembered when Bill and Hillary Clinton took a longer walk up Pennsylvania Avenue at the former president's first inauguration in 1993. She wasn't able to see the first couple this time around.

Her niece Stephanie added: "I was just disappointed we couldn't see Obama. His window was up [by the time he got to us]."

Arlette Peguero of Rhode Island was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the president and she was not disappointed: "He's even better looking in person. What an experience of a lifetime," she said. "Michelle looked absolutely stunning. She is absolutely flawless. I'm in awe."

D.C. resident Rodney Norman, also standing on Pennsylvania Avenue, was in good spirits during the parade. "It's all genuine love here," he said. "Everyone here just genuinely loves him... I think Obama gives us the hope that everybody is kind of like on the same level."

"It's his charisma," D.C. resident Charmyonne Bailey chimed in. "His charisma just warms your heart like, 'I'm glad that that's my president'."

Following the parade it was time for the Obamas and the Bidens to get ready for the official inaugural balls at the Washington Convention Center. Both couples attended the Commander in Chief Ball and the Inaugural Ball.

At the Commander in Chief Ball, the president spoke to a group of troops in Afghanistan via video, then introduced his "date," Michelle Obama.

At each ball, the president and first lady danced to Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" performed by Jennifer Hudson, and the vice president and Dr. Biden danced to Ray Charles's "I Can't Stop Loving You" performed by Jamie Foxx.

At the Commander in Chief Ball, the Obamas and Bidens also danced with members of the military. The president danced with Air Force Staff Sgt. Bria D. Nelson, and the first lady danced with U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Timothy D. Easterling. Vice President Biden danced with Army Staff Sgt. Keesha Nicole Dentino, while his wife danced with Navy Petty Officer Patrick Figueroa.

Carissa DiMargo contributed to this report.

A California man's Inauguration Day antics were too much for a D.C. judge, who banned him from the city.

Rives Grogan climbed a small tree near the U.S. Capitol Monday and stayed up there for about five hours, yelling anti-abortion slogans and disrupting the swearing-in ceremony for people nearby.

Grogan has been arrested several times in the District for disorderly or unlawful conduct.

He has been ordered to stay out of D.C. while the case is pending, except for court appearances or attorney meetings.

Monday’s parade up Pennsylvania Avenue was quite grand from our NBC4 perch on the sixth-floor balcony of the Newseum.

In his speech, President Barack Obama certainly had just laid out a grand political agenda. Like it or not, it was sweeping in its historic call to action on climate change, gay rights, tax revision and immigration, among other things.

The president’s parade of issues thrilled many Democrats who believe he was too timid in the first term. And it will engage the country and Congress in fierce debate. We could be seeing a 1960s-like clash of political wills.

But with no disrespect for either our military or first responders, maybe we also should envision a different kind of parade for this quadrennial, peaceful change of power.

First, maybe we shouldn’t even have the parade. Maybe it’s a remnant of bygone days.

There is the extraordinary expense — financial and psychological — of turning America’s Main Street into an armed camp where democracy is suspended for several days.

It’s not just the 8-foot-high steel fencing, nor the checkpoints, the cameras on every corner, nor the uncountable number of police cars screaming through the streets.

Behind the scenes, the U.S. Secret Service does a security check and stakeout of every private office, rooftop or balcony overlooking the parade route.

Protest groups are “assigned” demonstration areas, and required to pay fees and adhere to strict assembly instructions.

The Westboro Baptist Church — to many a notorious organization for its picketing of military funerals, denunciation of gays and so on — signed up for 25 demonstrators on John Marshall Park near 4th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. The application said its goal was “to remind the people that there is a God and a day of judgment.”

Separately, the Answer Coalition — a group with a reputation for serious protests — signed up to bring “thousands” of protesters to 14th and Pennsylvania to denounce war, racism and lack of jobs.

Yes, it’s all very orderly, but it flies in the face of what protests are meant to do — protest. Democracy is not neat, but in a secure zone it seems everyone is just playing along.

This being the week of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, it makes you wonder what success would have been achieved if civil rights workers had acceded to police demands not to march here or there, or to pay to get detailed permits first.

■ The parade itself. The president is commander in chief of the nation. It is the president’s (and Congress’s) most somber duty to commit American lives to war.

Yet, the inaugural parade’s emphasis on military might — the five branches of service headline the core of the parade — can feel more like an Armed Forces Day parade rather than a celebration of our democracy. And yes, we know our military helps ensure our democracy.

We grew up celebrating Armed Forces Day. But away from military bases, Armed Forces Day (the third Saturday of May) just doesn’t get much of the nation’s attention, certainly not like it should. The Notebook also grew up with and loves military pomp and circumstance as much as anyone.

But why not a parade that showcases the social services, arts and industries, and sciences along with our military services?

We could see entrants heralding the Americans with Disabilities Act and efforts to strengthen that groundbreaking legislation.

We could see entrants on the front lines of the massive rebuilding of our infrastructure (assuming the country gets serious about that).

Why not highlight nurses and educate America on the serious shortage of them that this country faces?

The idea is not to politicize the parade, but to make it more inclusive of the volunteers, organizations and varied aspirations that make up our whole nation. A number of nonmilitary groups were in the parade, but a casual viewer might not realize it, given the prominence of the military’s groups.

As first lady Michelle Obama said on Saturday at one event, the inaugural “is about celebrating who we are.”

Let’s hope we are not a fearful people, ceding liberty for a sense of security, or highlighting our strength at the expense of our heart as a nation.

■ The parade route. We noted in our NBC4 commentary that there was something new about the parade on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Bike lanes! They weren’t there four years ago.

For the parade, public works employees had stripped the street of traffic light poles, safety barriers and all those traffic signs you normally see. But one thing that wasn’t removed is the pavement striping of bike lanes.

We doubt that the first couple noticed as they walked, but bike lanes down the middle of America’s Main Street are one indication that this city takes bicycling seriously.

Kudos to former Mayor Adrian Fenty and then-D.C. Department of Transportation Director Gabe Klein for first doing it, and to Mayor Vincent Gray and current Director Terry Bellamy for improving them.

■ Beyond the parade. As core parts of the city were shut down for the parade, predictable traffic jams sprang up on every street around or near the parade area and Capitol Hill.

Yes, people are warned not to drive in the area. Yes, there are big roadside signs, their messages flashing. But why aren’t there patrol officers or traffic control aides directing the areas adjacent to the shutdown sections?

Traffic jams are dangerous. Frustrated drivers resort to all sorts of evasive maneuvers, endangering pedestrians, cyclists and themselves. And let’s not forget the hapless ambulance that finds every lane in every direction blocked.

In the Metro system on days like this, there are extra employees on hand at every station offering advice and guidance. Would it hurt to have a few traffic folks easing the jam everyone knew was coming?

We're collecting the best photos and news tips from our viewers and our News4 team on Inauguration Day!

Send your photos of inaugural events - and your news tips about what's happening where you are - to NBCWashington. We may use them online on on the air. Here's how:

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Read below for the latest from our viewers.

Though most of the inaugural events are now recent memories, there was at least one more important presidential ball on Tuesday, the proceeds of which benefit an Obama staffer who died during the campaign.

Alex Okrent, 29, died in July after collapsing at President Barack Obama's 2012 headquarters in Chicago. He worked in the campaign's paid media department, which handles advertising. He'd been with Obama since 2004, working as a field organizer in the campaign for the U.S. Senate and then for the 2008 presidential campaign.

Tickets to Tuesday night's Staff Ball at the Washington Convention Center were priced at $10 apiece. Obama for America staff, White House and Administration Staff, as well as Presidential Inaugural Committee staff were invited.

Obama told the Thousands that they represent, in his words, his "deepest hopes for America." He said he knows the nation's future is in good hands. The first lady, wearing a silver and black ensemble, echoed the president's campaign-year chant of "fired up, ready to go."
 
Singers Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga performed.  The pop star noted the event on Twitter, with a simple post that read, '#whitehausball."

The president and first lady started the tradition of the Staff Ball in 2009 as a way to express gratitude to their staff and celebrate with them.

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama surprised visitors to the White House Tuesday afternoon by welcoming them personally a day after the president's inauguration.

President Obama's refrain was "good to see you" as he greeted visitors. He also thanked several for their help -- it's unclear whether the visitors were campaign volunteers.

Bo, the family dog, was also in attendance.

A familiar-looking man was turning heads at the inauguration, posing for pictures and signing autographs.

But he has a confession to make: His name isn't exactly Barack Obama. It's Louis Ortiz.

Ortiz has worked as a professional impersonator for the past four years. From the moment Obama hit the national spotlight, Ortiz says he knew he had a new full-time job.

While he's excited about four more years of Obama, he's also excited about what this means for him.

"The man is getting re-inaugurated. It's a beautiful day for me, for America, and for him," Ortiz said.

The same goes for his (and Obama's) fans: "'We love you,' [they say], and I just say, 'I just you back!'"

Superstar Beyoncé Knowles brought the house down when she performed the "Star-Spangled Banner" Monday at the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

But today the Marine Corps Band confirmed to News4 that Beyoncé decided to perform to a pre-recorded track at the last minute due to her busy schedule.

The news was previously reported by Washingtonian magazine Tuesday.

"We received last-minute word that Beyoncé wanted to use the recording," the magazine quotes a spokesperson as saying.

Colonel Colburn, the Director of Marine Corps Band, told NBC News that all music for the inaugural festivities is pre-recorded in case of bad weather or extenuating circumstances. 

Beyonce, who has been busy getting ready for the Superbowl, had not had time to rehearse with the Marine Corps Band, Colburn said. Colburn said she expressed concern about that, adding that he felt any artist would be uncomfortable under those circumstances.

He said that, "it looked and sounded like she was singing her heart out," from his spot, but he really didn't know whether she was actually singing over the track playing, adding that only the sound person and Beyonce herself would know that.

He said the band "created a visual simulation of playing," since there was cameras on them, but the entire performance was from a recorded track.

The Marine Band did perform live elsewhere in the ceremony.

PHOTOS: The best fashion of the Inaugural Balls

BuzzFeed noted that the singer didn't actually rehearse with the Marine Band until the night before -- possibly because she was preparing for her upcoming Super Bowl performance.

More from the Inauguration:

• Obama Impersonator Stuns Inauguration Crowd
• Five Inauguration Moments You Might Have Missed
• Tunnel of Doom Victims Sat This One Out

With the more rigid formalities of Inauguration Day behind him, President Barack Obama took to the dance floor Monday night to share his first dance of his second term with the woman he said he was "lucky to have."

Wearing a white bow tie, a small American flag pin on his lapel, and a giant grin, President Obama spoke glowingly about his wife before introducing her at the Commander-In-Chief Ball—the first of two official balls the couple would attend for the night.

"She inspires me every day. She makes me a better man and a better president," Obama said to service members and their families in attendance. "The fact that she is so devoted to taking care of our troops and our military families is just one more sign of her extraordinary love and grace and strength. I'm just lucky to have her."

And then there she was. Michelle Obama made her grand entrance in a custom Jason Wu ruby red chiffon and velvet gown. She grabbed his hand and the two headed for the dance floor to the sound of cheers.

Jennifer Hudson, in a long black gown, provided the soulful music—Al Green's "Let's Stay Together."

The first couple sang to each other, Michelle Obama snapped her fingers and the president leaned in and playfully smirked at his wife. And they shared a kiss before breaking off to dance with some of the luckiest guests in the room.

After the dance, Michelle Obama took to her new Twitter account and documented the moment: "Just danced to "Let's Stay Together" with the love of my life and the President of the United States. I’m so proud of Barack. –mo."

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Rajeev Chopra had no trouble remembering his Inauguration experience four years ago, when he found himself trapped in the Third Street Tunnel with more than 1,000 others while on his way to the Mall.

Chopra, a chief information officer for the Obama campaign in Chicago, chose to wait in what was later affectionately called the Purple Tunnel of Doom. Fellow staffer Alberto Manrique, a systems engineer, turned around and watched on TV in Chinatown bar RFD.

“I got to a spot where the president was that big,” Chopra said, holding his fingers an inch apart. “Berto was totally warm and I thought, ‘My God, what am I doing!’”

Four years later, the two sat in RFD with three other staffers -- what they said was an easy decision. Only a dozen others watched with them. The streets outside were mostly empty, and samples handed out outside of California Tortilla went untasted.

Normally busy Chinatown held its breath as hundreds of thousands braved the cold to see the president speak just blocks away.

• READ MORE: Obama: "We are made for this moment."

“I was just looking for a nice, warm environment,” said Chinatown resident Morgan, one of the few others enjoying the events from RFD. “I didn’t want to brave the crowd and cold for hours.”

Morgan, who declined to give his last name, said he was inspired by Obama’s speech, which was both a defense of government programs like Social Security and Medicare, and a call for action on issues like gay rights and climate change.

“It’s a tough time with very divisive politics,” said Morgan, who said he doesn’t envy the president’s position. He added, however, “I think he’s a great speaker every time.”

• WATCH: Visitors compare 2009, 2013 inaugurations

During the speech, the president’s comments on climate change, gay rights and equal pay for women all received applause. A shot of Michelle Obama -- neatly dressed in a Thom Browne coat and dress -- received a whistle.

Outside, Peggy Gaines of Orlando wore a hat and scarf plastered with the president’s name. “He made some great points about America and unity,” she said, standing with her family. They also attended in 2009. “With so much going on, we need to unite as Americans and work together,” Gaines said.

Not everyone in Chinatown focused exclusively on the formalities. District resident Juan M., who came into the bar after the speech ended, said he was at the liquor store stocking up for an Inauguration party and would “watch the recap.”

Marcia DeSouza, of Gaithersburg, returned from the National Mall wearing a full Barney costume and kicked back in a Subway sandwich shop before heading back out for the parade. She said her outfit choice was mostly “about Romney’s PBS funding comment.” The other reason? It was warm.

Inside RFD, Chopra celebrated his warmth along with the Inauguration, despite the fact that he didn't use his ticket -- which was orange this time, not purple. This time, he said, “purple has been banned from all of D.C.”

Metro experienced heaver-than-usual ridership for a holiday Monday as a result of the inauguration ceremony on the Mall, but the number of riders was well below the record number who used the system for President Obama's first inauguration in 2009.

As of Monday afternoon, Metro had reported that 657,000 people had entered the system, about 70 percent of the 923,000 who had entered the system by the same time four years ago.

In 2009 Metro had 1.1 million riders enter the system, the highest number ever for a single day. Full-day numbers for 2013 were not available Monday night.

Much of the crowding came after the public ceremony, as thousands tried to enter the system all at once. At one point, Metro was advising pedestrians to use other entrances to the L'Enfant Plaza station after crowding was reported at the entrance/exit at 7th Street and Maryland Avenue. Riders at all Metro stations near the Mall were asked to choose stations to avoid having to transfer trains.

Shortly after 2:40 p.m., Metro announced that the entrance to the Smithsonian station at 12th Street and Independence Avenue, which had been closed during the inaugural ceremony, would be open for the boarding of trains only. No riders would be allowed to exit to the Mall from Smithsonian. Smithsonian, Metro Center, and Archives were the three stations closed by Metro at the start of the day.

Delays were also reported on the Blue and Orange lines in the direction of Vienna and Franconia/Springfield due to a disabled train outside Rosslyn station. Riders traveling to Blue Line stations in Virginia were asked to use Yellow Line trains from L'Enfant Plaza as an alternative.

Bus delays were also reported. All Metro buses bound for Union Station were detoured at 15th and Benning Road NE to end service at H and North Capitol Street NW. Buses to the Pentagon detoured at South Fern St and Army Navy Drive before resuming regular routes at South Eads and South Rotary Roads.

Despite the issues, good spirit prevailed by and large. One woman from Richmond, Virginia told News4's Shani Hilton that she was surprised at how well Metro was moving people along.

"Ain't too much that will spoil [the day] for anyone," she said.

Another woman from the Bay Area beat the crowd by leaving the Mall during President Obama's inaugural address. "I'd rather walk than stand around," she said.

The congestion after the ceremony stood in marked contrast to the relatively smooth morning. WMATA tweeted that parking lots at 5 metro stations were full to capacity by 8:30 a.m. Those stations are: Franconia-Springfield, Rhode Island Avenue., East Falls Church, Van Dorn and Fort Totten.

Large crowds were also reported at both Vienna and L’Enfant Plaza Metro stations. Elsewhere, Metro spokesman Dan Stessel told The Washington Post that at least three trains had bypassed Federal Center SW due to platform crowding.

Stessel told the paper that the main issue of the morning was too many people going to the Federal Center SW, Union Station, Judiciary Square, and Capitol South stations as a result of the inaugural committee putting those stations on tickets. Metro requested that only ticketed passengers use Federal Center SW due to the heavy foot traffic and the station was still "exit-only" as of 10 a.m.

NBC4 Transportation reporter Adam Tuss reported issues with fare gates at L'Enfant Plaza. Metro officials closed the exit on 7th and D for about 30 minutes Monday morning. The exit has since been reopened to all commuters.

However, not all stations were dealing with a crush of people heading to the Mall. Hilton reported that trains heading to Gallery Place from the U Street/Cardozo station were "full, but not packed. The station felt about as busy as a Sunday morning." Trains departing from Greenbelt were "about half-full."

Hilton also said that the system was "almost shockingly quiet" compared to 2009. After the ceremony, Hilton reported that trains were running at L'Enfant Plaza every "3-4 minutes" and were "not crowded."

President Barack Obama's second inauguration was a blur of politicians, celebrities, pomp and ceremony. As the moment unfolded, there were a few things that happened they may have escaped your eye:

• Obama became the first president ever to mention gay rights during his inaugural address, giving a call out to Stonewall, the New York City bar where the gay rights movement began in the early '70s, and declaring that "Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law."

• Strange enough was the sight of Jay-Z, a one-time drug dealer turned rap superstar from the projects of Brooklyn, and Beyoncé, the "sexiest woman of the 21st Century," standing next to Newt and Callista Gingrich at a presidential inauguration. Truly bizarre was this screengrab of what appears to be Republican Rep. Peter King snapping a cellphone photo of Jay-Z and Beyoncé.
   
• Much was made of the fact that Justice Antonin Scalia wore a rather peculiar hat to President Obama's first inaugural. Well, the conservative firebrand didn’t disappoint, sporting an even more unusual hat this time. But the attention heaped on Scalia's chapeaus — including the #scaliaweirdhat hashtag — seems to be ideologically driven, as liberal Stephen Breyer sported a hat at each Obama's inaugurations to little fanfare or derision.
   
• Well before their father came out, First Daughters Malia and Sasha Obama were in the stands, spending much of the time chatting with their cousin Avery Robinson. But at one point, the spirit moved Malia, who suddenly busted a move (h/t to Buzzfeed for the requisite animated GIF).
   
• Myrlie Evers-Williams, widow of civil rights martyr Medgar Evers, was called upon to deliver the Inaugural Prayer, offering a moving call for a blessing on all our leaders and our armed forces. She also made the biggest gaffe of the day, referring to Obama as the 45th president (he's actually number 44), but like a pro, she just kept going.

• As Obama left the stage following the oath of office, he stopped and turned to soak in the moment. "I want to take a look one more time, I'm not going to see this again," he said to someone off camera. Obama then stood there taking in the scene as Vice President Joe Biden and others filed past.

• Al Roker scored the unofficial first post-swearing-in interview with President Obama, screaming loud enough to get a thumbs up from the Commander in Chief, and moments later managed to yell sufficiently to get Vice President Biden to run over and shake his hand. Yes, Roker dropped the mic when it was over.

• In another inauguration first, the First Family was caught in their private box before the parade began, fiddling with their cellphones. Obama was trying to be as inconspicuous as possible while scrolling through messages on his phone, finally being interrupted by eldest daughter Malia, who insisted he repeatedly kiss Michelle until she got a decent photo with her own phone.

We know the fifty-seventh inauguration of the President of the United States has our fair city on the world stage, with all the pomp that the occasion demands.

Those of us who live here also know that it's a logistical, well, challenge.

President Obama's first swearing-in ceremony drew 1.8 million people to the nation's capital. This one is expected to be smaller, but the crowd is still expected to be as much as 700,000.

Many streets are closed, and Metro will be packed. Streets are even more tourist-clogged than usual. So to help you navigate, we've compiled this Locals Guide.

Have a question you want us to answer? Comment below or tweet us at @nbcwashington.

JUMP TO: Tickets, Schedule, Volunteering, Roads (general info), Metro schedule, Closed Metro stops, Amtrak, Biking, Water and airways, Prohibited items.

Or jump to our list of road closures.

Do we need tickets?

You don't need tickets to view the parade or the swearing-in ceremonies from the National Mall. The non-ticketed area of the National Mall begins at Fourth Street NW.

If you want to see the ceremony from close to the Capitol, you do need tickets, and if you didn't know that before now, you're too late. Tickets, which were free, were issued by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies and distributed by members of Congress to their constituents weeks ago.

Don't go looking online for them now: Most resale sites have agreed not to post listings for tickets. Be aware that legitimate tickets are not available that way.

When should I arrive for the parade or swearing-in?

Security checkpoints will open for the swearing-in ceremony at 8 a.m. Ticketed guests should be in place no later than 9 a.m.

Parade route entry points - which are at specific locations - will open at 6:30 a.m. and will remain open until the parade route can no longer accommodate additional people.
 

Which roads will be closed?

Lots of them. A security perimeter was established around the U.S. Capitol and the parade route, and Metro stations, bus stops, and streets within that perimeter are closed.

Starting at 7 a.m. on Sunday "vehicle restricted zones" went into effect and will last through 7 a.m. on Tuesday.

For a map of road closures, click here. Or click here to see our list of road closures.

For a walking map of the area, click here.

What's the Metro schedule?

On Monday, Jan. 21, Metrorail opened at 4 a.m. in rush-hour service. The trains will stay on a rush hour schedule for 17 hours, through 9 p.m. And that means peak fares, too - and, despite the Martin Luther King Jr. day holiday, weekday parking rates.

The rail system will stay open through 2 a.m.

Metrobus will operate weekday rush hour service in the morning, followed by an early rush hour in the afternoon. But keep in mind that many buses will be detoured.

MetroAccess will operate identical hours to Metrorail and Metrobus.

Metro strongly suggests you buy your tickets early or have all the value you need loaded on your SmarTrip card before you go to the events. Demand has been strong: The system's special inaugural SmarTrip cards, which came pre-loaded with fares and featured a portrait of the president, sold out by noon on Sunday.

Which Metro stop should I use?

The closest stops are Capitol South, Eastern Market, Union Station, NoMa-Gallaudet
U (New York Ave.), Judiciary Square, Gallery Place-Chinatown, Federal Center SW or L’Enfant
Plaza. However, those will also be the busiest stops that day, so you might want to get creative. You can plan your trip with Metro's inaugural planning tool.

Remember, the Smithsonian, Archives and Mt. Vernon Square Metro stations will be closed on Inauguration Day.

What about Amtrak?

Amtrak added about 50 percent of its normal weekday capacity in the Northeast Corridor to get travelers to the inauguration. Given Union Station's proximity to the parade route, the train is a good way for visitors to get to town for the events.

But Amtrak, too, is increasing security. Most of Union Station will be closed to the general public; the food court and most retail shops at Union Station will not be open. Access to the station will be restricted to certain points of entry. No lockers will be accessible.

Passengers getting on and off trains will see heightened security, including patrols by K-9 officers.

Amtrak strongly suggest passengers buy round-trip tickets, so that return seats are reserved.

And you might want to plan ahead for bio-breaks: Amtrak warns that restrooms will be crowded. They've brought in porta-potties for the rush.

Can I ride my bike to the ceremonies?

Some people say this is the way to go - if you have the stamina. You can't take a bike inside the security perimeter, but several agencies have provided bike parking near the parade route and swearing-in.

The District's Department of Transportation and goDCgo will provide a large bike parking area at 16th and I streets, and Capital Bikeshare will have two bike corrals for Bikeshare bikes open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.: One at Farragut Square at 17th and K Streets and one at the USDA building at 12th Street and Independence Avenue, SW.

Manassas Park Patch has a great guide for biking to the events.
 

What about other security precautions?

Airspace over D.C. will be restricted on Jan. 21, and so will some waterways. Meanwhile, all police and national security agencies in the area will be activated; you will see increased security throughout the district.

What should I bring - or not bring - to the parade or the swearing-in?

Bring your cell phone (event planners have added extra cell service to try to accomodate the crowds) and bring ID, but other than that, try to travel light.

The following items will be prohibited from the Inaugural parade route, the White House reviewing stand and the Inaugural balls:

• Aerosols
• Ammunition
• Animals other than helper/guide dogs
• Backpacks
• Bags and signs larger than 8" by 6" by 4"
• Bicycles
• Balloons
• Coolers
• Explosives
• Firearms
• Other weapons
• Glass or thermal containers
• Laser pointers
• Mace / pepper spray
• Packages
• Supports for signs and placards
• Any other items determined to be potential safety hazards

Along the parade route, signs and placards must be made only of cardboard, poster board or cloth and have dimensions no greater than three feet in width, 20 feet in length and one-quarter inch in thickness.

When they say don't bring it, they mean it. Surrendered items will not be returned.

Security is even tighter at the Capitol. Prohibited items there are:

• Firearms and ammunition (either real or simulated)
• Explosives of any kind (including fireworks)
• Knives, blades, or sharp objects (of any length)
• Mace and/or pepper spray
• Sticks or poles
• Pockets or hand tools, such as “Leatherman”
• Packages
• Backpacks
• Large bags
• Duffel bags
• Suitcases
• Thermoses
• Coolers
• Strollers - Allowed on the Mall with a child in it, not allowed on the Capitol Grounds or the Parade Route
• Umbrellas
• Tripods and camera bags
• Laser pointers
• Signs
• Posters
• Animals (other than service animals)
• Alcoholic beverages

And "other items as determined by and at the discretion of the security screener."

List of road closures:

Access into Washington, D.C., will be limited on Monday, January 21, 2013. According to Presidential Inaugural Law Enforcement and Public Safety Public Affairs Subcommittee, here's the status of roads into the city:

• 14th Street Bridge to 14th Street – All traffic will be diverted by Metropolitan Police onto the Southeast/Southwest freeway beginning at 5:30 a.m.
• Roosevelt Bridge – Traffic coming across the Roosevelt Bridge will be diverted into northbound Potomac River Expressway to Pennsylvania Avenue or Whitehurst Freeway/K Street.
• Memorial Bridge – Restricted to pedestrians and authorized vehicles only
• South Capitol Street Bridge – Open to all traffic
• Southeast/Southwest Freeway – Open to all traffic
• Rock Creek Parkway – Open to traffic (holiday traffic schedule in effect throughout the park)
• Clara Barton Parkway operating under holiday schedule (two-way traffic all day)
• 11th Street Bridges – Open to all traffic
• Sousa Bridge – Open to all traffic from east of the river to security checkpoint at Capitol Hill
• East Capitol Street – Open to all traffic. Roadways near RFK Stadium are primary routes for charter tour bus operators.
• Benning Road – Open to all traffic
• New York Avenue – Open to all traffic
• 3rd Street Tunnel – Closed to all vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic

Several major highways in Virginia also will be affected. Here is the status of some major routes:

• I-395 HOV northbound lanes will close at 9 a.m. on January 21. HOV lanes on I-395 will re-open southbound upon the conclusion of the Inaugural address.
• I-395 main lanes and I-66 will be open to all traffic.
• Memorial Bridge will be open to pedestrian traffic and authorized vehicle traffic only.
• Key Bridge, Chain Bridge, Woodrow Wilson Bridge and the American Legion Bridge will be open to all traffic.
• North Washington Street at Montgomery Street (City of Alexandria City) to Reagan National Airport will be open.

No major roads in Maryland will be closed, but state officials warned motorists to expect very heavy traffic.

In the District, the following roads will be closed from 3 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 21 and off limits to vehicles without a law enforcement escort:

• Pennsylvania Avenue NW from 18th Street NW to the U.S. Capitol
• I Street NW from 18th Street NW to 12th Street NW
• H Street NW from 18th Street NW to 12th Street NW
• G Street NW from 18th Street NW to 12th Street NW
• F Street NW from 18th Street NW to 12th Street NW
• E Street NW from 18th Street NW to 6th Street NW
• D Street NW from 18th Street NW to 6th Street NW
• C Street from 18th Street NW to 2nd Street NE
• Constitution Avenue from 17th Street NW to 2nd Street NE
• Madison Drive NW from 15th Street NW to 3rd Street NW
• Jefferson Drive SW from 15th Street SW to 3rd Street SW
• Independence Avenue from 14th Street SW to 2nd Street NE
• Maryland Avenue SW from 6th Street SW to the U S Capitol
• 17th Street from I Street NW to Independence Avenue SW
• Connecticut Avenue NW from I Street NW to H Street NW
• 16th Street NW from I Street NW to H Street NW
• Vermont Avenue NW from I Street NW to H Street NW
• 15th Street from I Street NW to Independence Avenue SW
• 14th Street from I Street NW to Independence Avenue SW
• New York Avenue NW from 18th Street NW to 12th Street NW
• 13th Street NW from I Street NW to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
• 12th Street from F Street NW to Independence Avenue SW
• 11th Street NW from F Street NW to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
• 10th Street NW from F Street NW to Constitution Avenue NW
• 9th Street from F Street NW to Independence Avenue SW
• 8th Street NW from F Street NW to D Street NW
• 7th Street from F Street NW to Independence Avenue SW
• 6th Street from F Street NW to Maryland Avenue SW
• 5th Street from D Street NW to Independence Avenue SW
• 4th Street from D Street NW to Independence Avenue SW
• 3rd Street from D Street NW to Independence Avenue SW

In addition, these roads on Capitol Hill will be closed from 3 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday:

• Louisiana Avenue NE between Columbus Circle and Constitution Avenue NW
• Delaware Avenue NE between Columbus Circle and D Street NE
• 1st Street between Columbus Circle and D Street SE
• North Capitol Street between E Street NW and Louisiana Avenue NE
• New Jersey Avenue NW between D Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW
• D Street between New Jersey Avenue NW and 2nd Street NE
• 1st Street between D Street NW and Washington Avenue SW
• C Street NW between 2nd Street NW and New Jersey Avenue NW
• 2nd Street NW between C Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW
• 2nd Street NE between Massachusetts Avenue NE and C Street SE
• C Street SE between 2nd Street SE and 1st Street SW
• D Street between 1st Street SE and Washington Avenue SW
• Washington Avenue SW between South Capitol Street and Independence Avenue SW
• Independence Avenue between 2nd Street SE and 3rd Street SW
• 3rd Street between E Street SW and D Street NW
• Constitution Avenue between 2nd Street NE and 3rd Street NW
• Maryland Avenue NE between 1st Street NE and 2nd Street NE
• East Capitol Street between 1st Street NE and 2nd Street NE
• 2nd Street SW between Washington Avenue SW and E Street SW
• C Street SW between 3rd Street SW and Washington Avenue SW
• D Street SW between 3rd Street SW and 2nd Street SW
• South Capitol Street between E Street SW and D Street SW
• I-295 South on-ramp from Washington Avenue SW
• I-395 North off-ramp onto Washington Avenue SW
• I-395 North off-ramp onto C Street NW
• I-395 South on-ramp from 2nd Street SW
• I-395 South off-ramp onto 2nd Street SW
• I-395 North on-ramp from Washington Avenue SW
• I-295 North off-ramp onto Washington Avenue SW

U.S. Park police said the George Washington Memorial Parkway will be open in both directions. Traffic will be allowed to exit Washington Reagan National Airport onto the northbound or southbound George Washington Memorial Parkway.

Barack Obama took the Oath of Office for his second term as President of the United States Monday, kicking off many Inauguration Day festivities across Washington, D.C.

During Obama's speech, which lasted just over 18 minutes, he outlined a broad agenda of gun control, equal rights and immigration reform during his second term and told the thousands of people in attendance that "our journey is not complete."

Watch videos from the swearing-in ceremony above and below:

Beyonce Performs the National Anthem: 

 President Takes Oath of Office:

James Taylor Sings "America The Beautiful":
 

Obama's Inaugural Speech: "Our Journey is Not Complete":

Obama Impersonator Draws Attention at Inauguration: 

Richard Blanco Recites Inauguration Poem: 

Kelly Clarkson Sings "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" At Inauguration: 

President and First Lady Walk Down Pennsylvania Avenue: 

First Lady Inauguration Style: 

New Day in Washington:

Obama Soaks in Crowd, Says "I’m Not Going to See This Again": 

Obama's First "Exclusive Interview" Goes to Al Roker: 

Al Roker Scores a Big Hello from Joe Biden: 

Malia Obama Photobombs Sister's Cell Phone Pic:

President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama paraded down Pennsylvania Avenue Monday, waving to cheering crowds of thousands after the president was sworn in for his second term in office.

The first couple were shown stepping out of their escort car at two points along the Washington, DC route from the Capitol to the White House. Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill also walked a portion of the parade. NBC's Al Roker scored a handshake from Biden as he walked by -- and Roker marked his coup by dropping his microphone and saying, "I'm done."

More than 8,000 people and nearly 200 animals took part in Monday’s 57th inaugural parade.

The parade featured eight floats. Marching bands and military units representing the country’s Armed Forces were among the 60 groups that participated in the historic parade, the Presidential Inaugural Committee announced.

The Obamas and Bidens later watched the processional from a reviewing stand at the White House.

Here was the order of the parade, courtesy of the Inaugural Committee.

The Presidential Escort
The Presidential Escort is a military and civilian formation that escorts the President, Vice President, and their families from the Capitol to the White House following the swearing-in ceremony. The escort will include representatives from the five branches of the United States Military, elected officials, and local and national law enforcement organizations.
 

Division One
United States Army Staff
United States Army Field Band
United States Military Academy
United States Army 1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment
United States Army Color Guard
District of Columbia Army National Guard
United States Army Reserve 200th MP Command
Punahou High School Marching Band and JROTC Color Guard, Hawaii
Hawaii Home State Float
Isiserettes Drill & Drum Corps, Iowa
Caisson Platoon, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment
Miami University Marching Band, Ohio
Illinois Home State Float
South Shore Drill Team, Illinois
Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission, South Carolina
Kamehameha Schools “Warrior” Marching Band, Hawaii
Ambulance 255 Project, Connecticut
81st Regional Support Command Wildcats, South Carolina
Jackson Memorial High School “Jaguar” Band, New Jersey
Seguro Que Si, Florida
Kansas University Trumpet Ensemble, Kansas
 

Division Two
United States Marine Corps Staff
United States Marine Band “The President’s Own”
United States Marine Corps Active Company
United States Marine Corps Color Guard
United States Marine Corps Reserve Company
Chinese American Community Center Folk Dance Troupe, Delaware
Delaware Home State Float
University of Maryland “Mighty Sound of Maryland” Marching Band, Maryland
Pennsylvania Home State Float
Boy Scout Troop 358, Germantown, Pennsylvania
Palm Springs High School "Spirit of the Sands" Marching Band and Visual Corps, California
Ballet Folklórico De La Raza, Colorado
54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company A, Massachusetts
Utuqqagmiut Dancers, Alaska
A Therapeutic Equine Assisted Self-Confidence Experience (A.T.E.A.S.E.), Wisconsin
Palmview High School Mariachi and Folkloric Group, Texas
NASA - Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle and Curiosity Rover
Dobyns-Bennett High School Band, Tennessee
54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company B, Maryland
Boston College “Screaming Eagles” Marching Band, Massachusetts
 

Division Three
United States Navy Staff
United States Navy Band
United States Naval Academy
United States Navy Active Company
United States Navy Color Guard
United States Navy Reserve Company
Georgia State University Marching Band, Georgia
Martin Luther King, Jr. Float
Ballou Senior High School "Majestic" Marching Knights, District of Columbia
Multi-Jurisdictional Mounted Police Drill Team and Color Guard, Michigan
Calera High School “Eagle” Marching Band, Alabama
Gym Dandies Children’s Circus, Maine
Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps, Massachusetts
Civil Rights Float
Lesbian and Gay Band Association
Native American Women Warriors, Colorado
Little Rock Central High School Band, Arkansas
Utah Hispanic Dance Alliance, Utah
Central Valley High School Marching Band and Color Guard, Washington
 

Division Four
United States Air Force Staff
United States Air Force Band
United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Active Company
United States Air Force Color Guard
District of Columbia Air National Guard
United States Air Force Reserve Company
Grambling State University “Tiger” Marching Band, Louisiana
Tuskegee Airmen Float
Norwich University Regimental Band, Vermont
Montana Delegation, Montana
Wind River Dancers, Wyoming
Canine Companions for Independence
Navajo Nation Band, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico
United War Veterans Council, New York
Pearl River Community College Marching Band, Mississippi
Union High School Air Force JROTC, Oklahoma
Fergus Falls High School Marching Band, Minnesota
Northwest Dragon and Lion Dance Team, Oregon
Asheville High School Marching Band, North Carolina
 

Division Five
United States Coast Guard Staff
United States Coast Guard Band
United States Coast Guard Academy
United States Coast Guard Active Component
United States Coast Guard Color Guard
United States Coast Guard Reserve Component
United States Merchant Marine Academy Staff
United States Merchant Marine Academy Band
United States Merchant Marine Academy Color Guard
United States Merchant Marine Academy Company
Northern State University “Marching Wolves,” South Dakota
Military Spouses of Michigan, Michigan
Londonderry High School Marching Band and Color Guard, New Hampshire
Culver Academies, Indiana
Portsmouth High School “Patriots” Marching Band, Rhode Island
The Native American Tribes of North Dakota, North Dakota
Liberty North High School Band, Missouri
Sarpy County Nebraska Metro Area Law Enforcement Honor Guard, Nebraska
Frankfort High School Marching Band, West Virginia
Comparza Morelense, Nevada
Letcher County Central High School Marching Band, Kentucky
Our People, Our Future Float & Citizen Co-Chairs
Firefighters of Idaho, Idaho
Virginia Military Institute, Virginia

Miami-raised poet Richard Blanco recited a poem of unity that evoked his childhood and the spirit of America at the second inauguration of President Barack Obama on Monday.

The poet, who was born in Spain to Cuban exiles, recited his poem "One Today" at the ceremonial swearing-in of President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

Click Here to Read the Full Poem

Blanco, 44, is the youngest inaugural poet and the first Latino and gay inaugural poet.
 
Blanco's parents emigrated to New York City days after he was born, then settled in Miami. He later attended Florida International University and now lives in Maine.

Before the inauguration, Blanco said he was speechless when he was told he'd be delivering the original poem, according to the Miami Herald.

"It took me 10 minutes to remember what the word for inauguration is in Spanish," Blanco told the Herald.

He also spoke about his mother, Geysa, a Cuban exile who gave him strength.

"She is a very brave woman and has worked hard all her life for my brother and me," Blanco said.

One Today

One sun rose on us today, kindled over our shores,
peeking over the Smokies, greeting the faces
of the Great Lakes, spreading a simple truth
across the Great Plains, then charging across the Rockies.
One light, waking up rooftops, under each one, a story
told by our silent gestures moving behind windows.

My face, your face, millions of faces in morning's mirrors,
each one yawning to life, crescendoing into our day:
pencil-yellow school buses, the rhythm of traffic lights,
fruit stands: apples, limes, and oranges arrayed like rainbows
begging our praise. Silver trucks heavy with oil or paper-
bricks or milk, teeming over highways alongside us,
on our way to clean tables, read ledgers, or save lives-
to teach geometry, or ring-up groceries as my mother did
for twenty years, so I could write this poem.

All of us as vital as the one light we move through,
the same light on blackboards with lessons for the day:
equations to solve, history to question, or atoms imagined,
the "I have a dream" we keep dreaming,
or the impossible vocabulary of sorrow that won't explain
the empty desks of twenty children marked absent
today, and forever. Many prayers, but one light
breathing color into stained glass windows,
life into the faces of bronze statues, warmth
onto the steps of our museums and park benches
as mothers watch children slide into the day.

One ground. Our ground, rooting us to every stalk
of corn, every head of wheat sown by sweat
and hands, hands gleaning coal or planting windmills
in deserts and hilltops that keep us warm, hands
digging trenches, routing pipes and cables, hands
as worn as my father's cutting sugarcane
so my brother and I could have books and shoes.

The dust of farms and deserts, cities and plains
mingled by one wind-our breath. Breathe. Hear it
through the day's gorgeous din of honking cabs,
buses launching down avenues, the symphony
of footsteps, guitars, and screeching subways,
the unexpected song bird on your clothes line.

Hear: squeaky playground swings, trains whistling,
or whispers across café tables, Hear: the doors we open
for each other all day, saying: hello, shalom,
buon giorno, howdy, namaste, or buenos días
in the language my mother taught me-in every language
spoken into one wind carrying our lives
without prejudice, as these words break from my lips.

One sky: since the Appalachians and Sierras claimed
their majesty, and the Mississippi and Colorado worked
their way to the sea. Thank the work of our hands:
weaving steel into bridges, finishing one more report
for the boss on time, stitching another wound
or uniform, the first brush stroke on a portrait,
or the last floor on the Freedom Tower
jutting into a sky that yields to our resilience.

One sky, toward which we sometimes lift our eyes
tired from work: some days guessing at the weather
of our lives, some days giving thanks for a love
that loves you back, sometimes praising a mother
who knew how to give, or forgiving a father
who couldn't give what you wanted.

We head home: through the gloss of rain or weight
of snow, or the plum blush of dusk, but always-home,
always under one sky, our sky. And always one moon
like a silent drum tapping on every rooftop
and every window, of one country-all of us-
facing the stars
hope-a new constellation
waiting for us to map it,
waiting for us to name it-together