President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden are planning a pre-inaugural celebration with their families in Baltimore on Jan. 17.

Obama will start the day in Philadelphia and the event will focus on the inaugural theme of "Renewing America's Promise" -- featuring cities with historic connections to that theme: Philadelphia, where the nation's founders signed the Declaration of Independence; Baltimore, "where the country's independence was defended,"; and Washington, the nation's capital.

"As part of the most open and accessible inauguration in history, we hope to include as many Americans as possible who wish to participate but can't be in Washington," Emmett S. Beliveau, director of the inaugural committee, said in a statement. "These events will allow us to do that while honoring the rich history and tradition of previous inaugural journeys."

Telegraph.co.uk

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