Obama Sworn In as President of the U.S.

Barack Hussein Obama Jr. was sworn into office as the 44th president of the United States and the first African American president.

Just after noon, under cloudy skies with his family near, the former senator from Illinois placed his hand on President Abraham Lincoln’s bible — which was held by Michelle Obama — and took the 35-word oath of office, administered by Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.

“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,” he said in his inaugural address.

Obama’s speech focused on the economy, citizenship, and the U.S.’s relationships with the rest of the world.

“Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real.  They are serious and they are many.  They will not be met easily or in a short span of time,” he said to the more than one million people assembled on the National Mall. “But know this, America — they will be met. “On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.”

Obama immediately addressed the economy and his goal to fix the damaged economy left behind by former President George W. Bush.

“That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood.  Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred.  Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age.  Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered.  Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.”

The dawn of the new Democratic era — with Obama allies in charge of both houses of Congress – ends eight years of Republican control of the White House by Bush, who leaves Washington as one of the nation’s most unpopular and divisive presidents, the architect of two unfinished wars and the man in charge at a time of economic calamity that swept away many Americans’ jobs, savings and homes, writes the Associated Press.

With Obama in office, the country’s foreign and domestic policies are expected to change — as is criticsm of said policies. “To the Muslim world,” Obama said, “we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect.”

And he sought rapprochement with nations and cultures that have been viewed as enemies of the U.S. for the past eight years. “To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”
The facial expressions of those on the National Mall indicated that people understood the gravity of Obama’s message. “Yes,” they cried as he spoke. “Amen,” they yelled.

His message was also of inclusion and respect for all peoples — and of peace.

“For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness.  We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus – and non-believers.  We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark

chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

“For Walter and Lela Morris, a couple from California in their 80s, the pilgramage to bear witness to history was a moment they will never forget. “We are exhilarated and celebratory,” said Walter Morris. “We are seeing today the dream come true.”

Two years after beginning his quest for the White House as a first-term senator from Illinois, Obama moves into the Oval Office.

As the thousands upon thousands of wildly enthusiastic Washingtonians and out-of-town visitors witnessed the 56th inauguration, they couldn’t help but wonder, “Who would have thunk it?” of the historic event.

The U.S. Marine Band, the U.S. Navy Band, the girls and boys choirs of San Francisco, and Aretha Franklin performed musical selections throughout the ceremony. Violinist Itzhak Perlman, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and clarinetist Anthony McGill, conducted by composer/arranger John Williams, also performed.

Following the call to order and opening remarks by California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Dr. Rick Warren delivered the invocation before Vice President-elect Joe Biden was sworn into office by the Supreme Court Associate Justice John Paul Stevens.

After giving his inaugural speech, Obama escorted former President Bush to Executive One helicopter so he and wife Laura could go to Andrews Air Force Base and then fly to Texas to begin their lives as private citizens.

The Obamas and Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill are attending a luncheon with their families and other dignitaries in the Capitol’s Statutory Hall. After lunch, the Obamas and Bidens will make their way down Pennsylvania Avenue to their parade review stand in front of the White House. From there, they’ll watch more than 13,000 parade participants march, drum, boogie, and in a few cases — mow— along the 1.7-mile parade route.

Tonight, Obama will be host the first-ever Neighborhood Ball with a line-up of talent, including Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Shakira, Stevie Wonder and Nick Cannon as DJ.

Even later, the Obamas will attend the Home States (Illinois and Hawaii) Ball at the Washington Convention Center. They are reportedly going to do their first dance to Etta James’s “At Last,” sung
by Beyonce.