On Tuesday, millions of people around the world tuned in to witness the celebration of a lifetime. Hundreds of thousands crowded the streets of our capital for one giant party, the focus of which was the swearing in of one V.I.P; our newly elected Commander in Chief.
The morning of Inauguration Day, Obama attended a worship service and then proceeded to the capitol building with George W. Bush, the outgoing president, where he was to be sworn in on the steps of the capitol in front of the mall. On days prior to the inauguration, millions from around the world flooded the almost two mile long strip of grass all the way to the Lincoln memorial, just to be a part of the historic event. An introductory speech was delivered by Dianne Feinstein, the leader of the Inauguration committee, and the ceremony was kicked off with the singing of “My Country ‘Tis Of Thee” by Aretha Franklin. Vice President Joe Biden led the ceremonies by being the first sworn into office. Several prominent figures delivered speeches that forecasted America's future and talked about the importance of the landmark event.
Tension had been building up for hours. The hope of the nation hinged on the next few moments as people who had been waiting all day prepared themselves for what they had been waiting for, for so many years. Barack Hussein Obama took the stand. He placed his hand on Lincoln's Bible and repeated the oath the forty-three president-elects had said before him. At twelve o’clock noon, Obama became our new leader. And then, he spoke. The world seemed to stand still for a while as its inhabitants stood and watched the changes occurring on that day. Obama's wise words and eloquent speaking instilled confidence and pride in the citizens of our nation. His speech outlined America's future and focused on what we have done as a nation to get where we are today , and what we will do to move ahead even farther. The problems, he warned, "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." When the President left the stand minutes after twelve, there was already a new light shining on America and its future. The ceremony ended with a benediction by Reverend Joesph E. Lowry, who once had worked in the civil rights movement with Dr. King, and an inaugural poem by Elizabeth Alexander that paid tribute to slaves and hard-working Americans.
Later that day, as Obama waved to a crowd of hopeful onlookers on Pennsylvania Avenue, his future allies in the reconstruction of our nation looked back, and they knew that January 20, 2009, would be a day to remember.