(20 Sep 2012) U.S. Congressional leaders gathered outside the Capitol building in Washington DC on Thursday to mark the start of construction for Inauguration Day.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Majority Leader John Boehner and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi attended the 'First Nail Ceremony' in which building work begins on the 2013 presidential inauguration platform.
Every four years, a large platform is erected on the West Front Lawn for the president-elect and vice-president elect to take their oath of office.
"The inauguration is the celebration of democracy," said Senator Chuck Schumer, Senator for New York and Chairman of the Committee. "This event reminds us that free elections matter and that it is possible to transfer power peacefully every four years ."
As part of the ceremony, committee members were asked to pick up a hammer and pound nails into the platform.
The situation gave rise to some bi-partisan gallantry as Republican House Majority Leader, John Boehner, helped Democratic Senator Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi to hammer her nail into the wood.
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