There is much to celebrate for, once again, America's political torch has been passed in peace. Inaugurals have an air of dignity befitting a monarch. The ceremonies are partly celebrations and partly coronations.
Inaugurals promote national unity yet provide an occasion for partisan gloating.
They are populist and elitist, public and private, inclusive and exclusive, commercial and civic. But most of all, they reflect the hopes we have for the presidency and our democratic process.