“Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States Tuesday afternoon and told Americans it was time to, pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America. As the anticipation built and members of the Senate and House of Representatives were introduced and seated, the crowd started chants of, Obama! Obama! and, Yes we can! Yes we can! Millions from across America and other countries traveled to Washington D.”
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Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States Tuesday afternoon and told Americans it was time to, pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.
As the anticipation built and members of the Senate and House of Representatives were introduced and seated, the crowd started chants of, Obama! Obama! and, Yes we can! Yes we can!
Millions from across America and other countries traveled to Washington D.C. and stood for hours in the freezing weather to witness the 56th Presidential Inauguration.
Words cannot say how much this means to me, Jamal Morton of New Orleans, Louisiana said. My grandmother passed away five weeks ago and the last thing I told her about was our trip here. She’d want us to be here.
Change brought me here. Hope brought me here. Prosperity brought me here. Optimism brought me here, Dilprit Shergill of Brampton, Ontario said. This is something that, looking at things on a broader scale, will ease a lot of tension. It will bring change. I don’t want to think of America as a place of hate, I want to think of America as a place of hope.
Jossie Redmond of Crawford, Mississippi, said, This is the most historical point of my life, not just for me but for my children.
The country needs a boost and Obama is the man to do it, Mike Stott of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania said. It wouldn’t matter if he was white, black or asian or whatever. He is the one who can bring change and he will bring change to this nation.
Members of the crowd arrived in the early morning hours to try and get a good seat for the inauguration.
We got here at five o’clock this morning to witness history, Sarah Sneed of Arlington, Virginia said. This is really exciting and unprecendented in our history.
Obama’s campaign platform stressed change and he certainly didn’t shy away from controversial issues. He addressed topics from religion to the war in Iraq.
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real, Obama said. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America: They will be met.
Many of Obama’s comments were followed by cheers from the millions of people in attendance. Serious and stoic, Obama didn’t waver in his delivery.
We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you, Obama said.
During the inauguration festivities, former President Bush and Vice President Cheney were introduced and greeted with jeers from the crowd despite the thanks Obama gave to Bush. At one point, the crowd even started to sing Na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye.
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.
Obama also spent time addressing the economy in his speech.
We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth, Obama said. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions – that time has surely passed.
The most moving comment felt by the crowd was one that addressed race.
This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed – why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
Willacin Gholston of Dallas, Texas, summed up the day in one statement.
American is only as good as it’s promise, and Barack Obama is that promise.
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” #1.1360646:4036977910.jpg:US-NEWS-INAUGURATION-125-MC_edit.jpg:President Obama with his wife Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha takes teh oath of the presidency from U.S. Supreme Court Cheif Justice John Roberts. The Bible that Mrs. Obama holds for her husband was the original Bible used by President Lincoln in his Inauguration.:MCT”
“#1.1360645:3611765447.jpg:141_20090120_inauguration_md_sm.jpg:An estimated 2 million people witnessed President Obama’s Inauguration Tuesday afternoon from the National n front of the Capital Building in Washington D.C.:Melissa Dunfee / The Buchtelite “