The Presidential Inaugural Committee announced today that the entire length of the National Mall will be opened to the public for the inauguration of Barack Obama on Jan. 20, a first for any modern presidential inauguration. Here’s The AP story.

Previously, the far portions of the National Mall had been closed off for use as a staging area for the inaugural parade. The change will allow a lot more people to stand out in the cold and be a part of the ceremony; the PIC will also install large screens along the Mall so that everyone can see and hear what’s going on. No tickets are needed to stand on the National Mall during the inaugural ceremony.

“This will be an Inauguration for all Americans,” Mayor Adrian Fenty said in a press release sent out by the PIC.

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