Every four years the world’s attention turns to Washington D.C. for the inauguration of America’s president. The swearing in of Donald Trump as the 47th president was significant since it was the second time ever a non-consecutive re-inauguration for a U.S. president happened, after the second inauguration of Grover Cleveland in 1893. It was also the first presidential inauguration to take place indoors since Ronald Reagan’s inauguration in 1985. 

The frigid temperatures also forced a group of 14 students indoors, where they watched it with groups from other schools at the Marriott in Arlington, Virginia. For the five days before the inauguration, the students participated in workshops and visited memorials and monuments as part of a program organized by the Close Up Foundation. For over 50 years, Close Up has partnered with schools offering programs, one of which is the Presidential Inauguration High School Program. 

As a part of the program, students went to many sites around D.C. including the Jefferson, FDR and MLK memorials as well as the WWII, Vietnam and Korean War memorials. Each visit offered the chance for students to reflect on the meaning behind the monument and what they say about the person or event it was built to commemorate. 

Some states that were on the program included California, Montana, Texas, Missouri, Iowa, Louisiana, Rhode Island and Florida. Students from around the country met each other and shared their perspectives while participating in discussions. The group also met with DC insiders such as a former Department of State official and participated in activities such as interviewing protesters of various causes at the White House. The Close Up Inaugural Ball brought the six-night program to a close, celebrating the 60th peaceful transfer of power in our country.

_{The 60th inauguration is the first presidential inauguration to take place indoors since Ronald Reagan’s inauguration in 1985. Trump’s was the fourth inauguration in history to be held inside since inaugurations started to be held outside in 1817. (Photo/Zain Masood)}