Donald J. Trump was elected President of the United States on November 8, 2016. Tomorrow is the day he officially takes office. When he states the following: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States,” he will formally become the 45th President of the United States.

The inauguration of the President of the United States is a ceremony to mark the commencement of a new four-year term of a president of the United States. Since 1937, Inauguration Day takes place on January 20 following a presidential election. The term of a president commences at noon (ET) on that day, when the Chief Justice administers the oath to the president. The only inauguration element mandated by the United States Constitution is that the president make an oath or affirmation before that person can “enter on the Execution” of the office of the presidency.

The official proceedings of Inauguration Day commence around noon on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol with the vice president-elect and president-elect taking the Oaths of Office, followed by the inaugural address.

The oath is part of a ceremony marking the peaceful transition of power on the steps in front of the US Capitol.

The ceremony is then followed by a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue and later celebrated through a series of inaugural balls.