President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday led a national memorial observance on the eve of his inauguration to honor the 400,000 Americans who have perished from COVID-19 during the 11 months since the novel coronavirus claimed its first U.S. life.
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The sundown commemoration came hours before President Donald Trump was due to leave the White House for the last time and hand over a country racked by the greatest public health crisis in a century, economic devastation and violent political upheaval.
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Ceremonies spearheaded by Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris from the base of the Lincoln Memorial marked the federal government's first official nod to the staggering death toll from the pandemic.
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"To heal, we must remember. It's hard sometimes to remember, but that's how we heal. It's important to do that as a nation," Biden said to kick off a tribute that included observances in cities across the country.
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As he spoke, 400 electric lamps lining the sides of the memorial's Reflecting Pool were illuminated to honor the lives lost, followed by gospel star Yolanda Adams' performance of the song "Hallelujah," then a moment of silence.
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Lights surround the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, placed as a memorial to COVID-19 victims.
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Incoming US Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and US Vice President-elect Kamala Harris attend a COVID-19 Memorial at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.
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President-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden participate in a COVID-19 memorial event at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
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President-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden are joined by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff during a COVID-19 memorial event at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
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Dr. Jill Biden looks on as President-elect Joe Biden performs a sign of the cross at a memorial for victims of the coronavirus pandemic at the Lincoln Memorial.
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