Schedule of events for Obama's inauguration

Washington, Jan 20 (IANS) Here is the schedule of events for Barack Obama's inauguration as 44th president of the US Tuesday:

8 a.m. (6.30 p.m. IST): Gates to the inaugural ceremony on the West Front of the US Capitol open.

10 a.m. (8.30 p.m. IST): The inaugural festivities start. Two-hour programme includes musical selections and invocation by Rev. Rick Warren.

11.45 a.m. (10.15 p.m. IST): Joe Biden is sworn in as vice president.

12 noon (10.30 p.m. IST): Barack Obama takes the oath of office as president using Abraham Lincoln's inaugural Bible.

12.05 p.m. (10.35 p.m. IST): President Obama gives the inaugural address.

12.30 p.m. (11 p.m. IST): After his inaugural address, Obama escorts outgoing President George W. Bush to a departure ceremony.

Attends a luncheon in the Capitol's Statuary Hall.

2.30 p.m. (1 a.m. IST): The 56th Inaugural Parade makes its way down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House.

Later that day, the Presidential Inaugural Committee will host 10 official inaugural balls.