New York Stock Exchange Celebrates Obama’s Inauguration

YOUNG PATRIOTS: School children from St. Aloysius, Claremont cheered for the new President after the New York Stock Exchange Opening Bell was rung on the steps of Federal Hall in downtown Manhattan. Federal Hall was the site of the first U.S. inauguration (Jonathan Weeks/Epoch Times)

NEW YORK—The New York Stock Exchange rang Tuesday’s opening bell on the steps of Federal Hall, which is the site of the first inauguration. The Bible used by George Washington at that time served as a backdrop to commemorate the historic event.

School children from St. Aloysius, Claremont joined members of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Downtown Alliance, and the National Park Service in celebration of the presidential inauguration.

Approximately 300 local school kids packed the stairs shouting “Go-Bama” and enthusiastically waved American flags, smiles were abundant. The kids flanked Wall Street, Free Mason, and National Park Service officials who were standing on the same pedestal upon which a tall statue of George Washington stands, watching over Wall Street.

“Five, four, three, two, one!” the kids shouted and the bell was rung. Business for the first day of our 44th president’s first term had officially started.

Press members were then invited into the Exchange to view the inauguration from the gallery or the floor. The event was broadcast live via satellite on a large multi-panel screen that was set up on Broad Street outside of the Exchange, beginning at 11:30am.

The eyes of the nation and the world turned toward Washington D.C. Tuesday morning as Americans viewed our country’s 44th presidential inauguration. Of all the emotions felt by many Americans when they think about the next four years, hope appears to be the prominent one.

Obama quoted George Washington at the end of his inaugural speech: “Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it].”

“America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come” said the President.

“Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.”