This is a turning-point week in U.S. history. Donald Trump will be sworn in Friday as president, his first political office. The outdoor ceremony on the Capitol steps will be attended by Congress members, Supreme Court justices, campaign donors, other ticket holders and anyone who wants to join a crowd watching on giant screens outside the seating area. Three past presidents – Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush – will be among dignitaries on the main platform where they earlier pledged to "faithfully execute the office of President of the United States" and "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution." Their presence with spouses, including defeated 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, reflects the smooth transfer of power that's a hallmark of democracy.

A 16-year-old singer from Pittsburgh, Jackie Evancho, performs the national anthem at the televised noon ceremony. Chief Justice John Roberts will swear in Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. The new president will speak, followed by a congressional lunch and a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue from Congress to the White House. The marchers — 8,000 people in more than 40 organizations — include police, drill teams and high school and college bands. Protests are certain and security will be ultra-tight, naturally. On Friday night, there are three official inaugural balls, plus others for Republicans from some states.

A day later, large crowds are expected for a Women's March on Washington, with "sister marches" scheduled around the country by protest groups. The seven-hour capital event is designed “to show our presence in numbers too great to ignore," coordinators say. "We are confronted with the question of how to move forward in the face of national and international concern and fear. . . . The Women's March on Washington will send a bold message to our new administration on their first day in office, and to the world, that women's rights are human rights."

Trump says: “It will be a GREAT SHOW!" – Jan. 6 tweet

Inaugural singer says: "I hope to just kind of make everyone forget about rivals and politics for a second and just think about America and the pretty song that I'm singing. I'm hoping that I can bring people together." -- Jackie Evancho, former star on "America's Got Talent"

Security official says: "I can’t think of an inauguration that presented more security challenges than this one.” – Michael Chertoff, former secretary of homeland security