Barack Obama Sworn In As 44th US President
First African-American Takes Presidential Oath In Historic Ceremony
Jan 20, 2009
Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States on Tuesday 20 January 2009. He is the first African-American to take the presidential oath.
The inauguration ceremony took place on the platform in front of the United States Capitol in Washington DC. It was attended by dignitaries, politicians and celebrities, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, outgoing President George W. Bush and Oprah Winfrey.
Despite freezing temperatures, an estimated two million well-wishers descended on the city, with hundreds of thousands gathered on the National Mall to witness the historical event on the large television screens set up for the occasion.
After a performance of ‘My Country 'Tis of Thee’ by soul legend Aretha Franklin, Joe Biden was sworn in as Vice President. Obama then stepped up to take the presidential oath of office, as his family – and the world – looked on. Placing his left hand on Abraham Lincoln’s inaugural Bible, held by his wife Michelle, and raising his right hand, Obama stumbled through the first through lines of the oath. This seemed to break the tension and the rest of the oath proceeded smoothly.
Sobering Inaugural Speech
Obama then addressed the crowd, in his first speech as President. His speech was intelligent and hopeful, while at the same time explicitly covering many of the sobering issues currently facing the country.
After thanking Mr. Bush for his service to the nation, Obama made almost immediate reference to the financial crisis, loss of jobs, expensive healthcare and failing schools. He went on to talk at some length about the founding fathers and the trials they had faced and overcome in order to lay the foundations of modern America, before covering a range of hot-button topics including national security, the war in Iraq, global warming and renewable energy sources.
While he strived during his election campaign to avoid playing the race card, in his speech Obama also touched on race and segregation. He said that the country had “emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united,” adding later that “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.”
He admitted that the United States faces real challenges, but promised they would be met with “action, bold and swift” and that he would work to “restore the vital trust between a people and their government.”
A Day of Inaugural Celebrations
After the ceremony, Obama accompanied Mr. Bush to a waiting helicopter, as the former president and his family left the White House for the last time.
The remainder of the day will be filled with additional celebratory events. After a luncheon with congressional leaders in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall, Obama is expected to travel up Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House, where he will watch the inauguration parade with his family from an enclosed viewing stand.
In the evening, he and his wife will attend 10 official balls. Singer Beyonce is due to perform at the first ball. At the end of the night, the new first couple will return to the White House, their home for at least the next four years.
The full transcript of Obama's inaugural speech can be found on his website.
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