Kamala Harris
Oakland native becomes first female vice president in U.S. history, sworn in at the U.S. Capitol with President Biden. A century from now, people will know her name.
Oil industry
Biden vows to block new drilling on public lands across the West, crack down on pollution and greenhouse emissions, and push former industry lobbyists out of government jobs.
Alex Padilla
Former California secretary of state is sworn in as the state’s first Latino U.S. senator, filling Harris’ seat. But no time to rest: He has to run for re-election in two years.