Barack Obama concluded a historic and remarkable political journey Tuesday when he was sworn in as the nation's 44th president and its first African-American commander in chief in a ceremony filled with grandeur and calls for personal sacrifice.
Under sunny skies with temperatures hovering in the high 20s, Obama rose five minutes after noon to repeat the 35-word oath of office administered by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. on the Capitol's West Front.
During the oath, Obama's wife, Michelle, held the same gilt-edged Bible used for the first inaugural of Abraham Lincoln, from whom Obama has often said he draws inspiration.
The moment Obama declared the customary "So help me God," the U.S. Marine Corps Band marked the transfer of power with the drum-and-bugle "Ruffles and Flourishes," followed by the official presidential march "Hail to the Chief." The assembled crowd of senators, representatives, governors and diplomats flanking the podium broke into sustained applause, echoed by hundreds of thousands of spectators who watched the swearing in on television screens installed along the National Mall.
In his inaugural address, Obama touched on themes of personal responsibility, accountability and sacrifice that he emphasized during his campaign. He also bitterly denounced the partisan warfare waged by Washington elites.
"On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord," Obama said. "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 used the address to articulate a sense of unfinished work and invoked the sacrifices of past generations to call on Americans to work hard and take risks to reclaim their country's good name.
"Our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions that time has surely passed," Obama said. "Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America."
Obama vowed to confront the economic crisis with a huge jobs program built around infrastructure projects, alternative energy and education initiatives.
He also caught on commenting to the Muslims..
"To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. 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."
To The 44th President of The United States of America..i Congratulate You..
~Dante Rocco Santino~
Palestinian Flag Shaded by The Sun
Israeli Troops Passing By Palestinians Flag...
London
Montreal
