‘This is America’s Day’: Biden’s inauguration speech calls for unity, Americans to ‘rise to the occasion’

"This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day, a day of history and hope," President Joe Biden declared after he was sworn in as the nation’s 46th chief executive.

He called this a day of "renewal and resolve."

"We learned that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile," Biden said. "And at this hour my friends, democracy has prevailed."

The speech — a kind of turning point — on what Biden called "hallowed ground."

"This was really a speech about American values," said Kathryn Pearson, a University of Minnesota political science professor. "Focusing on the historical moment and the need for unity."

That call — coming two weeks after the attack on the Capitol.

And the new president didn’t mince words.

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"And here we stand, just days after a riotous mob thought they could use violence to silence the will of the people, stop the work or our democracy, to drive us from this sacred ground," Biden said. "It did not happen. It will never happen. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever."

Political experts said the new president’s words were also the ingredients for a speech of hope.

"I think this was a remarkable speech and a remarkable moment," University of Minnesota Political Science Professor Larry Jacobs said. "So many Americans and people around the world were wondering if American democracy would persevere. And the message from Joe Biden is that democracy won."

Biden also extended an olive branch to his political rivals.

"Politics doesn’t have to be a raging fire, destroying everything in its path," he noted. "Every disagreement doesn’t have to be a cause for total war."

"One of the more striking lines in the speech was when President Biden said we need to end America’s ‘uncivil war’ that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, and conservative against liberal," Pearson explained.

But perhaps the most poignant moment came when Biden called for a moment of silence to honor the more than 400,000 Americans who’ve died during the pandemic.

"So I ask you, let’s say a silent prayer for those who have lost their lives and those left behind and for our country," Biden said. "We’ll honor them by becoming the people and the nation we can and should be."

"And today, we mark the swearing-in of the first woman in American history elected to national office, Vice President Kamala Harris," he said.

Finally, Biden vowed to defend the nation, pledging to be a president for all Americans, whether they voted for him or not.

"And together, we shall write an American story of hope, not fear; of unity, not division; of light, not darkness," he said. "A story of decency and dignity, love and healing, greatness and goodness."