Leading up to the inauguration

Walter Cutter arrived at 4 a.m. to get a position for the parade at the intersection of F and 12th streets.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Cocoa Jones sells newspapers to early arrivals at 5 a.m. on G Street.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Trains in Washington are packed as crowds head toward the Capitol before dawn.  (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

The predawn sky begins to lighten behind the Capitol, arrayed for the inauguration of Barack Obama.  (Win McNamee / Getty Images)

Hoping to claim spots to view the inauguration festivities, people camped out in the cold near the Washington Monument on the National Mall.  (Matt Rourke / Associated Press)

Dense crowds form as people wait to gain access to the National Mall for the inauguration ceremonies.  (Matt Rourke / Associated Press)

People wait in line for access to the inaugural parade route before the swearing-in of President-elect Barack Obama.  (Rob Carr / Associated Press)

On the morning of the inauguration of Barack Obama, a vast sea of people appeared to stretch nearly the entire two-mile length of the National Mall, from Capitol Hill to the Lincoln Memorial.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Violinist Itzhak Perlman, left, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma rehearse on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in preparation for Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony.  (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)

The presidential inaugural stand is set up in front of the U.S. Capitol.  (Alex Wong / Getty Images)

A member of the security force keeping watch at the U.S. Capitol ahead of the presidential inauguration.  (John Moore / Getty Images)

On Monday, preparations continued for Tuesday’s presidential inauguration, including the stage and sound system.  (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)

Soldiers walk along the inaugural parade route near the White House.  (Jewel Samad / AFP / Getty Images)

Visitors walk in the National Mall near the Washington Monument a day before the presidential inauguration.  (Charlie Neibergall / Associated Press)

Work continues on the presidential inauguration platform where Barack Obama will be sworn in Tuesday.  (Mark Wilson / Getty Images)

Capt. David Paroby, director of the Herald Trumpets, directs a musical selection during an inauguration dress rehearsal.  (Win McNamee / Getty Images)

The inauguration involves thousands of law enforcement and safety personnel who must practice for the swearing-in ceremony and parade.  (Paul J. Richards / AFP/Getty Images)

Army Staff Sgt. Derrick Brooks stands in for Barack Obama during an inauguration rehearsal.  (Alex Wong / Getty Images)

Army Staff Sgt. Derrick Brooks stands in for President-elect Barack Obama, Navy Yeoman 1st. Class LaSean McCray stands in for his wife, Michelle, and Dominique Sewell and Gianna Justice Samora-Nixon stand in for daughters Malia and Sasha.  (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)

Workers hang flags behind the inauguration platform.  (Paul J. Richards / AFP/Getty Images)

The VIP seating behind the podium on the inauguration platform looks out toward the Washington Monument.  (Paul J. Richards / AFP/Getty Images)

A worker in early December paints the stand for the inauguration platform.  (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press)

The latest weather report for Tuesday predicts high temperatures in the mid-30s. As many as 2 million people are expected to attend.  (Mark Wilson / Getty Images)