Nail Driving Ceremony: J.C.C.I.C. kicks-off inaugural preparations

  • Hard hats for Chairman Dianne Feinstein and Sen. Bob Bennett at the Nail Driving Ceremony which kicked-off platform construction for the inaugural ceremonies to be held at the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2009.

  • Protective covering is placed over the fountain on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol during initial preparations of platform construction for the inaugural swearing-in ceremonies to be held on January 20, 2009 at the U.S. Capitol.

  • "The presidential inauguration is more than just a celebration of one person's assumption of the presidency," said Senator Dianne Feinstein, Chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, at the Nail Driving Ceremony held Sept. 24, 2008 at the U.S. Capitol. "It is an affirmation of our constitution, which ensures the peaceful transition from one administration to another. Congress has the responsibility of overseeing this important symbolic event, and I am honored to chair the effort for the 2009 inauguration."

    Courtesy of the Architect of the Capitol

  • "Perhaps January 20th will bring a hint of spring; perhaps it will be bitterly cold. Whatever weather greets our new president, the American people will greet him with faith, pride and confidence in our enduring, ever strengthening democracy," said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid at the Nail Driving Ceremony held at the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 24, 2008.

    Courtesy of the Architect of the Capitol

  • "Before we swear in the president, we have to hammer in the nails and construct a podium where that ceremony can occur. We begin that process today and I'm delighted to be part of it," said Senator Bob Bennett at the Nail Driving Ceremony on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 24, 2008.

  • "On January 20, 2009, Americans and citizens of the world will again turn their attention to the steps of the Capitol to listen to a new President and that leader's vision for a renewed America," said Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi at the Nail Driving Ceremony on Sept. 24, 2008 at the U.S. Capitol. "We will face that future together as Americans, and therefore as optimists, who believe that every new day grants us and our nation a new measure of hope."

  • Acting Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers speaks at the Nail Driving Ceremony on Sept. 24, 2008, which kicks-off the platform construction for the inaugural ceremonies. The Architect of the Capitol oversees the platform construction.

  • (l. to r.) Sen. Bob Bennett, Chairman Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Acting Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers, and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi review the plans for the platform to be constructed on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony to be held Tuesday, January 20, 2009.

  • (l. to r.) Acting Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers, Chairman Dianne Feinstein, Sen. Bob Bennett, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi hammer nails into a plank to kick-off the platform construction for the inaugural swearing-in ceremony to be held Jan. 20, 2009.

  • (l. to r.) Acting Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers, Chairman Dianne Feinstein, Sen. Bob Bennett, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi hammer nails into a plank officially kicking-off preparations for the presidential swearing-in ceremonies held Jan. 20, 2009 in Washington, D.C.

    Courtesy of the Architect of the Capitol

  • (l. to r.) Dennis Capezio, Joe Keibler, Mark Tsirigos, Tom Whitmore, Tim Vandewalle, A.J. Chier, and Perry Caswell stand on an area of the U.S. Capitol's West Front that will eventually be covered by the platform they will help build for the inaugural swearing-in ceremonies to be held Jan. 20, 2009.

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  • What is the J.C.C.I.C.? Learn about the committee that's planned this since 1901.
  • Get the official word: read the news release about the Nail Driving
  • What Happens on Inauguration Day? Walk through the president-elect's day
  • Learn more about the platform, read the Platform Facts and Figures Fact Sheet