Welcome Barack, Obama! WITH 800,000 LINING THE STREETS TO WATCH AND 35,000 AT THE INAUGURAL BALL, THE 44TH PRES STARTS HIS 2ND TERM TODAY WITH AMERICA'S MOST GLAM STARS THERE TO SAY

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Byline: TOM PARRY t.parry@mirror.co.uk

IN the past few days a steady stream of private jets has headed for Washington DC.

The rich and famous have been gathering for THE social event of the year and a piece of living history.

Beyonce will sing the national anthem The Star-Spangled Banner, Lady Gaga will perform and, just as he was in the UK last summer, rapper Will.i.am will be everywhere.

Despite bitter disagreement on gun control and the political dogfight over the deficit, the US is in the middle of a four-day celebration.

And today will be the highlight when at 11.55am - Eastern Standard Time - Barack Obama is sworn in for a second term as the 44th President of the United States.

As he takes the oath, Obama will have his hand on two Bibles …