Inaugural committee offers sneak peek of platform

Construction on the platform for President Obama’s inauguration is under way in front of the Capitol, and the inauguration committee is offering a sneak peek on social media.

Photos shared on Facebook and Twitter reveal the view the president will have of the National Mall on Inauguration Day in January.

The official #inaug2013 platform will hold 1,600 people, including @barackobama and @joebiden. Check out the view: twitter.com/obamainaugural…

— Obama Inauguration (@obamainaugural) December 12, 2012

The Architect of the Capitol constructs a new inauguration platform on the west side of the Capitol every four years. The platform is for the official, public swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Monday, Jan. 21. The president will be sworn in privately the day before, as is tradition when Inauguration Day falls on a Sunday.

The outdoor platform will hold 1,600 people, according to the committee. It is 10,000 square feet. The architect’s team will also install cabling and security fencing and will decorate the Capitol with flags and bunting for the event itself.

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