Donald Trump is facing competition for the limelight during his inauguration with two other national leaders also due to be sworn in within days.
The business mogul will follow in the footsteps of Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D Roosevelt and John F Kennedy when he delivers his inaugural address outside the US Capitol building in Washington DC.
But on Thursday, the new leader of Gambia could also be sworn in, following an election that has sparked a political crisis in the small west African state.
Former London Argos security guard Adama Barrow, elected in December and since sheltering in Senegal for safety, told followers on Wednesday: “Our future starts tomorrow.”
However, incumbent President Yahya Jammeh’s term in office has been dramatically extended for a further three months by legislators the country.
The move has led to more than 26,000 people fleeing the country amid fears of military intervention.
Austria will also swear in its new leader shortly after Mr Trump’s big moment.
Alexander Van der Bellen, who saw off a challenge by anti-immigration candidate Norbert Hofer, in December’s election will be inaugurated on January 26.
An independent backed by the Greens, Mr Van der Bellen bagged 53.3 per cent of the vote.
Speaking after his win, he told supporters: “It is not an exaggeration if I say that today we see a red-white-red -- the flag of Austria -- as a signal of hope and change.”
