WATCH The inauguration of Joe Biden LIVE

The inauguration of Joe Biden

President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris attend a Covid-19 memorial Tuesday that paid tribute to Americans who have died because of the pandemic. They were joined by their spouses, Jill Biden and Doug Emhoff.Tom Brenner/Reuters
President-elect Joe Biden will take the oath of office on Wednesday, but it will be a scaled-down inauguration unlike any we've ever seen.

The celebrations have been cut back because of the coronavirus pandemic, and Biden's inaugural committee — trying to keep crowds to a minimum — has urged Americans not to travel to Washington, DC. The National Mall will also be closed to the general public because of security concerns related to the January 6 storming of the US Capitol.

Usually, thousands of people gather on the Mall to watch the new president being sworn in. This year, there are thousands of National Guard troops stationed in the nation's capital.

This will also be the first time in 150 years that the outgoing president will boycott his successor's inauguration. President Donald Trump, still bitter about the election, is skipping the ceremony and many of the time-honored traditions that come with the peaceful transfer of power.

Biden will take the oath of office on the West Front of the US Capitol, but there will be no public parade from the Capitol to the White House. The celebrations will be mostly virtual, and the inaugural balls will be replaced by a prime-time television special.

Media members practice camera positions Tuesday at the entrance to the inauguration stage.

The sun sets over the White House on the final night of Donald Trump's presidency.

National Guard members walk on the US Capitol grounds on Tuesday. The Pentagon has authorized up to 25,000 National Guard members to help secure the inauguration.