WASHINGTON—Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States on Tuesday on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.
An estimated one to two million people gathered for the Inauguration Ceremonies and the parade, filling the National Mall from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument.
Senator Diane Feinstein opened the ceremonies and welcomed the audience, “Here on the National Mall, where we remember the founders of our nation, and those who fought to make it free, we come here every four years to bestow the power of the Presidency upon our democratically elected leader. We pledge ourselves to the hope, the vision, the unity of our new call to greatness, inspired by the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama.”
Following Aretha Franklin’s performance of “My Country Tis of Thee” and shortly after Justice John Paul Stevens administered the Oath of Office to Vice President Joseph Biden, Obama was administered the Presidential Oath of Office by Chief Justice John Roberts.
President Obama’s inaugural address spoke to the American people and to the citizens and leaders of world. “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,” said Obama.
Dr. Rick Warren of California’s Saddleback Church delivered an earnest invocation, “We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequal possibility, where the son of an African immigrant could rise to the highest level of our leadership,” said Warren. “Give our new president Barack Obama the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity,” said Warren.
At moments, the crowd chanted “O-BAMA,” in a wave of sound that arrived at the Capitol. From the Capitol, a sea of waving red and white flags could be seen as far as Washington Monument.
Former presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and George H.W. Bush also attended.
Many well known actors and musicians also attended the event, including: Steven Spielberg, Beyonce, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jay Z, Jennifer Lopez, and Mark Anthony.
The Rev. Joseph E. Lowery gave a humorous closing Benediction. “We ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man, and when white will embrace what is right,” said Lowery.
The Ceremonies commenced with the United States Marine Band playing the Lincoln March, played at Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration, followed by the Jefferson March. The Marine Band also played “Hail to the Chief” following the Presidential Oath of Office. Renowned musicians Yo-Yo Ma, Anthony McGill, Gabriela Montero, and Itzhak Perlman played musical selections composed and arranged by John Williams. The ceremonies ended with the National Anthem by The United States Navy Band Sea Chanters.
Following the inaugural ceremonies, the President and the Vice President attended a luncheon at the U.S. Capitol. The Inaugural Parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House took place later in the afternoon, where more than a million braved the below 20 degree weather for the event.
An estimated one to two million people gathered for the Inauguration Ceremonies and the parade, filling the National Mall from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument.
Senator Diane Feinstein opened the ceremonies and welcomed the audience, “Here on the National Mall, where we remember the founders of our nation, and those who fought to make it free, we come here every four years to bestow the power of the Presidency upon our democratically elected leader. We pledge ourselves to the hope, the vision, the unity of our new call to greatness, inspired by the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama.”
Following Aretha Franklin’s performance of “My Country Tis of Thee” and shortly after Justice John Paul Stevens administered the Oath of Office to Vice President Joseph Biden, Obama was administered the Presidential Oath of Office by Chief Justice John Roberts.
President Obama’s inaugural address spoke to the American people and to the citizens and leaders of world. “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,” said Obama.
Dr. Rick Warren of California’s Saddleback Church delivered an earnest invocation, “We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequal possibility, where the son of an African immigrant could rise to the highest level of our leadership,” said Warren. “Give our new president Barack Obama the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity,” said Warren.
At moments, the crowd chanted “O-BAMA,” in a wave of sound that arrived at the Capitol. From the Capitol, a sea of waving red and white flags could be seen as far as Washington Monument.
Former presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and George H.W. Bush also attended.
Many well known actors and musicians also attended the event, including: Steven Spielberg, Beyonce, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jay Z, Jennifer Lopez, and Mark Anthony.
The Rev. Joseph E. Lowery gave a humorous closing Benediction. “We ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man, and when white will embrace what is right,” said Lowery.
The Ceremonies commenced with the United States Marine Band playing the Lincoln March, played at Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration, followed by the Jefferson March. The Marine Band also played “Hail to the Chief” following the Presidential Oath of Office. Renowned musicians Yo-Yo Ma, Anthony McGill, Gabriela Montero, and Itzhak Perlman played musical selections composed and arranged by John Williams. The ceremonies ended with the National Anthem by The United States Navy Band Sea Chanters.
Following the inaugural ceremonies, the President and the Vice President attended a luncheon at the U.S. Capitol. The Inaugural Parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House took place later in the afternoon, where more than a million braved the below 20 degree weather for the event.
