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President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. arrived in the nation’s capital on Tuesday for the first time since his election, and on the eve of his inauguration, he did what his predecessor declined to do by leading a national mourning for Americans killed by the coronavirus. In a somber sundown ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial in a city virtually occupied by troops on guard against political violence, Mr. Biden paid tribute to the victims of the pandemic on the same day that the death toll in the United States topped a staggering 400,000 — and almost a year to the day from the first report of the virus appearing in the country. (Baker, 1/19)

The ceremony was meant as a demarcation between Biden's presidency and the tenure of Trump, who has mostly ignored the swiftly rising coronavirus caseloads and death toll for months, after insisting during the campaign that the virus would soon disappear. Biden and Harris have cited tackling the virus — by persuading more Americans to use preventive measures and by vaccinating millions vulnerable to it — and the parallel economic collapse as their top priorities when their administration takes power Wednesday. (Viser and Linskey, 1/19)

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. (Heavey and Hunnicutt, 1/19)

After his remarks, Biden settled at Blair House, across from the White House, where presidents-elect traditionally spend the night before their inaugurations. Biden’s appearance at the Lincoln Memorial was his second public appearance of an emotional day. He started tearing up on Tuesday afternoon as he left Delaware on his final trip to Washington before he is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States. “I know these are dark times, but there’s always light,” Biden said in his home state. (Niedzwiadek and Choi, 1/19)