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In this image from video, Katy Perry performs during the Celebrating America event on January 20, 2021, following the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States. (Biden Inaugural Committee via AP)
Fireworks burst over the White House Wednesday for a star-studded night of socially distanced music celebrating incoming US President Joe Biden, a pandemic-era special that replaced the traditional bevy of balls.
A-listers made a valiant effort to keep up the energy at the mostly virtual, pre-produced show dubbed “Celebrating America.”
Among the few live artists was opener Bruce Springsteen, a man strumming his guitar in solitude, save for Abraham Lincoln in his neoclassical sanctuary.
Jon Stewart popped back into the spotlight to kick off the virtual inauguration parade for President
Joe Biden. On Wednesday the former
Daily Show host was one of the many famous faces to make a remote appearance at the virtual Parade Across America, a reimagined version of the traditional Inauguration Day fete.Â
âItâs been a tough year,â Stewart said, opening the event. (You can watch his remarks in the video below.) âA pandemic, economic downturns, political division, social unrest. But we need to rememberâ¦there are millions of unsung American heroes who are keeping our nation going.â
He praised teachers and workers who are âkeeping us all connectedâ¦reminding us about what it is to truly be an American.â Stewart also tapped one of those unsung heroes, conducting a mini interview with Dr.