Barack Obama's Inauguration

Barack Obama's Inauguration

Washington Post reported an estimated 1.8 million attendees during Obama’s inauguration, making it the most attended presidential inauguration in history so far. Taking place on January 20, 2009, the Obama inauguration officially marked the beginning of Barack Obama’s term as 44th president of the Unites States.

Timeline

The inauguration celebration is actually a 5-day event and started on January 17, 2009 with a train ride from Philadelphia to Washington in order to recreate the historic train journey that Abraham Lincoln took.

On January 18, 2009, at 2 in the afternoon, a star-studded “We are Once” concert event at the Lincoln Memorial kicked off the official inauguration activities. The event was attended by celebrities and artists who read events in history or gave free concert performances. Some of those who participated in the event were U2, Beyonce, Denzel Washington, Tom Hanks, Sheryl Crow, and Tiger Woods.

On January 19, events included National Day of Community Service, Kids Inaugural: We are the Future” concert event, and private dinners.

When, where, who

On January 20, starting at 10 am on the steps of west front of the US Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., the inauguration took place. The event included musical selections by bands such as the United States Marine Band and the San Francisco Chorus.

Because of the hugely anticipated crowd, the public observation area stretches from the National Mall to the Lincoln Memorial. The National Mall is a vast open area starting from the Capitol building to the Potomac River. Senator Dianne Feinstein emceed the event.

Vice president-elect Joe Biden took the oath first. The vice-president’s swearing in was administered by Associate Justice John Paul Stevens.

The Oath

After the United States Marine Band played “All Hail to the Chief,” Barack Hussein Obama was sworn in at around 12 noon. Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath-taking. The oath-taking had some blunders. First, as the new president is repeating “I, Barack Hussein Obama,” Roberts already started saying “do solemnly swear.” Then, Chief Justice Roberts said the subsequent phrases incorrectly “that I will execute the office of the President to the United States faithfully.” Obama said, “I will execute,” then paused and nodded like a schoolteacher urging his student to continue. Roberts repeated that part of the oath, this time correctly saying “that I will faithfully execute the Office of the President to the United States.” However, Obama repeated Roberts’ earlier mistaken phrase. To avoid issues, Obama retook the oath the next day--- this time, without any blunder.

A 21-gun salute followed the presidential oath of office. Obama then delivered his inaugural address; “A New Birth of Freedom” was the central theme of the inaugural address.

After the oath-taking, Obama joined the congressional luncheon held at the National Statuary Hall at the US Capitol. The congressional luncheon has been an inauguration tradition since 1953.

In the afternoon, the inaugural parade started from the US Capitol and coursed through Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. During the parade, the First Family rode the 2009 Cadillac Presidential Limousine. The parade lasted two hours and had 150,000 attendants. Marching bands including the Drums Corp International and Punahuo School (Obama’s alma mater) performed at the event.

In the evening, the First Couple Barack and Michelle Obama attended as many as 10 official inaugural balls. Other organizations also held inaugural balls although these weren’t official ones.

On January 21, the First Couple and Vice-president Biden and his wife attended the inaugural prayer service held at the Washington National Cathedral. In the evening, President Obama retook his oath in the Map Room of the White House.