The Awe-Inspiring Togetherness of an Entire Country Looking Up at the Eclipse

Rosie McCrudden views the eclipse in Thornton, Idaho today.Mark Murrmann/Mother Jones

For the first time in decades, a total solar eclipse is traveling across the entire United States today, and it seems everyone took a break to check it out. We’ve compiled our favorite photos of people—from the White House to Los Angeles—looking up to check out the rare phenomenon. (Props to everyone that dutifully prepared by securing protective, and often festive, eyeglasses!)

Four generations of family taking in the partial eclipse today. Already looking forward to the next one in Texas in 2024! pic.twitter.com/3iSPh9iydA

— George Bush (@GeorgeHWBush) August 21, 2017

That was amazing. #SolarEclipse2017 pic.twitter.com/9yuRcKo6Xx

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) August 21, 2017

Oh ya know… just taking precautions to view the #SolarEclipse2017 here in Brookings!!! pic.twitter.com/BFDpg07xUZ

— Jackrabbit Softball (@GoJacksSB) August 21, 2017

How some @MomsDemand volunteers rocked the #solareclipse2017 pic.twitter.com/NErB3MeCY8

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) August 21, 2017

Curiosities: Bill Gates Bought the sun and the moon. Now the eclipse will be exclusive to the Microsoft family#SolarEclipse2017 pic.twitter.com/xg91EgURtN

— Dante (@dante_ynt) August 21, 2017

We are all @AlRoker today. #SolarEclipse2017 pic.twitter.com/vX0dlDRHT7

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) August 21, 2017

part 2 #SolarEclipse2017 pic.twitter.com/pdM0YSoowN

— sydney (@sydrames) August 21, 2017

So many excited people! Out and about for the #eclipse2017 #solareclipse2017 pic.twitter.com/IIg6iiCAvB

— SF Public Works (@sfpublicworks) August 21, 2017

Happy #SolarEclipse2017 pic.twitter.com/P0kBUPaq0G

— Lauren Elizabeth (@LaurenElizabeth) August 21, 2017

Safety and style in #SanFrancisco for the sake of the #SolarEclipse2017! #eclipse2017 pic.twitter.com/jhXbej0nEM

— SF Public Works (@sfpublicworks) August 21, 2017

Harley is ready #SolarEclipse2017 pic.twitter.com/nC6r8EYOIZ

— Lexi Kenyherz (@kenyherz) August 21, 2017

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*cue the Bonnie Tyler* The U.S. economy lost $700 Million in economic productivity today because we were all too busy looking at a giant burning object in the sky. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 #America #SolarEclipse #DC

A post shared by Shawn Rusterholz (@shawnrusterholz) on Aug 21, 2017 at 12:57pm PDT

Safety first at the #RedCrossLA Headquarters in West LA! #SolarEclipse2017 pic.twitter.com/tDYpv1Ly3v

— Red Cross Los Angeles (@RedCrossLA) August 21, 2017

My boys and I enjoying the eclipse (the welding helmets are set correctly thanks for asking!) #SolarEclipse2017 pic.twitter.com/XS4tdPhuAw

— Adam Savage (@donttrythis) August 21, 2017

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The Solar Eclipse was such an experience on our beautiful patios here at Shift! . . . . . #solareclipse #denver #shiftworkspaces #loveworkhere #beinspired #colorado

A post shared by Shift Workspaces (@shiftworkspaces) on Aug 21, 2017 at 12:59pm PDT

How to watch #SolarEclipse2017 without losing your clout. pic.twitter.com/BZAyiziQXL

— Cycle (@bycycle) August 21, 2017

Watching history happen with our nephews @lambowbap @NBCDFW #SolarEclipse2017 pic.twitter.com/DMfyn2lIUj

— Deborah Ferguson (@DeborahNBC5) August 21, 2017

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#solareclipse #2017eclipse – We were not in an area of #totality but this #eclipse was an #epicview of the #sun behind the #moon thanks @capturing_the_cosmos for getting us the #eclipseglasses

A post shared by Lindsay Demeter (@lindsaydemeter) on Aug 21, 2017 at 12:59pm PDT

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Waiting to be eclipsed 🌖 // @theresagoodall

A post shared by Element Three (@elementthree) on Aug 21, 2017 at 12:59pm PDT

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Things are looking up! #solareclipse #medschool

A post shared by Kansas City University (@kcu1916) on Aug 21, 2017 at 12:59pm PDT

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Why yes, yes I did get my paws on some eclipse glasses this morning. And yes, yes I did just become the first dog in the history of dog-kind to watch the solar eclipse! 🐾🌞😎

A post shared by Kobe the Springer (@kobethespringer) on Aug 21, 2017 at 12:59pm PDT

Rick Barry #solareclipseglasses game strong! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽#SolarEclipse2017 @Rick24Barry pic.twitter.com/PTjhqmQrF8

— BIG3 | LIVE on CBS 8PM ET (@thebig3) August 21, 2017

And then there was President Trump, who was caught, at least temporarily, without proper eyewear:

https://twitter.com/lachlan/status/899706064161173504

#SolarEclipse2017– #Trump was warned not to look directly at the sun. He responded in typical Trump fashion.#unfit #Resist #Resign pic.twitter.com/q3hi8GgacS

— John Lundin 🌊 (@johnlundin) August 21, 2017

Pres and Mrs Trump watch the eclipse. pic.twitter.com/yjLcNdKAoV

— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) August 21, 2017

At least Attorney General Jeff Sessions got the memo:

When you wish upon a star pic.twitter.com/cgmIJoWZgP

— Michael Hendrix (@michael_hendrix) August 21, 2017

We’ll leave you with this footage of a plane flying through the eclipse—just because it’s cool:

Footage of plane flying through #SolarEclipse2017 pic.twitter.com/tfjPpfau7W

— Josh Caplan (@joshdcaplan) August 21, 2017