Nearly 200,000 flags are on display at the National Mall ahead of Joe Biden’s inauguration. The “field of flags” represents the American people who were unable to make it to Washington, DC for inauguration day amid the coronavirus pandemic and security threats.
Tonight, the inaugural presidential committee also illuminated the “Field of Flags” with 56 pillars of light that represent the 50 US states and territories. The pillars lit up for 46 seconds – marking the 46th President of the United States Joe Biden.
13 photos
1/13
Thousands of flags creating a “flag field” are seen on the National Mall ahead of Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony as the 46th US President in Washington, DC on January 18, 2021. – With war zone-style security , no crowds and coronavirus are leaving guests behind, Joe Biden’s swearing-in as the 46th US president will be a muted affair, unlike any previous inauguration. Where Washington is normally teeming with hundreds of thousands of supporters, celebrities, socialites and lobbyists, the U.S. capital is eerily silent ahead of Biden’s Big Day, which promises to be a mostly televised celebration of democracy. (Photo by Eric BARADAT / AFP) (Photo by ERIC BARADAT / AFP via Getty Images)
2/13
Thousands of flags creating a “flag field” are seen on the National Mall ahead of Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony as the 46th US President in Washington, DC on January 18, 2021. – With war zone-style security , no crowds and coronavirus are leaving guests behind, Joe Biden’s swearing-in as the 46th US president will be a muted affair, unlike any previous inauguration. Where Washington is normally teeming with hundreds of thousands of supporters, celebrities, socialites and lobbyists, the U.S. capital is eerily silent ahead of Biden’s Big Day, which promises to be a mostly televised celebration of democracy. (Photo by Eric BARADAT / AFP) (Photo by ERIC BARADAT / AFP via Getty Images)
3/13
Thousands of flags creating a “flag field” are seen on the National Mall ahead of Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony as the 46th US President in Washington, DC on January 18, 2021. – With war zone-style security , no crowds and coronavirus are leaving guests behind, Joe Biden’s swearing-in as the 46th US president will be a muted affair, unlike any previous inauguration. Where Washington is normally teeming with hundreds of thousands of supporters, celebrities, socialites, and lobbyists, the U.S. capital is eerily silent before Biden’s Big Day, which promises to be a mostly televised celebration of democracy. (Photo by Eric BARADAT / AFP) (Photo by ERIC BARADAT / AFP via Getty Images)
4/13
Thousands of flags creating a “flag field” are seen on the National Mall ahead of Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony as the 46th US President in Washington, DC on January 18, 2021. – With war zone-style security , no crowds and coronavirus are leaving guests behind, Joe Biden’s swearing-in as the 46th US president will be a muted affair, unlike any previous inauguration. Where Washington is normally teeming with hundreds of thousands of supporters, celebrities, socialites, and lobbyists, the U.S. capital is eerily silent before Biden’s Big Day, which promises to be a mostly televised celebration of democracy. (Photo by Eric BARADAT / AFP) (Photo by ERIC BARADAT / AFP via Getty Images)
5/13
Thousands of flags creating a “flag field” are seen on the National Mall ahead of Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony as the 46th US President in Washington, DC on January 18, 2021. – With war zone-style security , no crowds and coronavirus are leaving guests behind, Joe Biden’s swearing-in as the 46th US president will be a muted affair, unlike any previous inauguration. Where Washington is normally teeming with hundreds of thousands of supporters, celebrities, socialites, and lobbyists, the U.S. capital is eerily silent before Biden’s Big Day, which promises to be a mostly televised celebration of democracy. (Photo by Eric BARADAT / AFP) (Photo by ERIC BARADAT / AFP via Getty Images)
6/13
NBC Washington
7/13
NBC Washington
8/13
The US Capitol is prepared for the inauguration ceremonies of President-elect Joe Biden as the “Field of Flags” is laid on the ground on the National Mall on January 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. – Approximately 191,500 US flags will cover part of the National Mall and represent the American people who cannot make it to Washington, DC for the grand opening. (Photo by Joe Raedle / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JOE RAEDLE / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
9/13
The US Capitol is prepared for the inauguration ceremonies of President-elect Joe Biden as the “Field of Flags” is laid on the ground on the National Mall on January 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. – Approximately 191,500 US flags will cover part of the National Mall and represent the American people who cannot make it to Washington, DC for the grand opening. (Photo by Joe Raedle / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JOE RAEDLE / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
10/13
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 18: The “Field of Flags” is lit up on the National Mall as the US Capitol is prepared for the inauguration ceremonies of President-elect Joe Biden on January 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. Approximately 191,500 US flags will cover part of the National Mall and represent the American people who cannot make it to Washington, DC for the grand opening. (Photo by Joe Raedle / Getty Images)
11/13
Blue lights are projected into the sky above the National Mall’s Field of Flags as the US Capitol is prepared for the inauguration ceremonies of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris on January 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. – President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris will be sworn in on January 20, 2021. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP via Getty Images)
12/13
The “Field of Flags” is pictured on the National Mall as the US Capitol prepares for the inauguration ceremonies of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on January 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. – President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris will be sworn in on January 20, 2021. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP via Getty Images)
13/13
The “Field of Flags” is pictured on the National Mall as the US Capitol prepares for the inauguration ceremonies of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on January 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. – President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris will be sworn in on January 20, 2021. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP via Getty Images)