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On Tuesday, January 20th, 2009, President Elect Barack Obama took the Oath of Office to become the forty-fourth president of the United States of America in front of an estimated 1.5 million people. The inauguration took place in Washington, D.C, our nation's capital. Amidst frigid temperatures at the Capital Building, warm hearts laid under the American skin, as the first African American earned the highest rank of power in the United State's government.
President Barack Obama is the father to two lovely daughters, and a husband to First Lady, Michelle Obama. At 47 years old, Obama is the fifth youngest president in all of American history. His hero is former president, Abraham Lincoln. At the Inauguration, Mr. Obama laid his left had on the same Bible used by Lincoln in 1861. Barack raised his right hand and took the Oath of Office, with the First Lady holding the Bible beneath her husband's hand.
Before the official ceremony, Vice-President Joe Biden, wife Jill Biden, President Barack Obama, wife Michelle Obama, former president George W. Bush, and wife Laura Bush had coffee at the White House as scheduled. Earlier in the day, Obama attended a mass service in a church in Washington D.C. The entrance of all former presidents started at about 10:30 or 11:00 A.M. The presidents included were 39th President, Jimmy Carter, 41st President, George Bush Senior, 43rd President, George Bush Junior, and the 42nd President, Bill Clinton.
The crowd waited; smiling, happy, and very anxious for President Elect Barack Obama. Though the inauguration did not start to 12:00, noon, the crowd grew larger and larger, filling the Capital Buildings surroundings with citizens from all over the United States of America. Acres of people from all around waited for the approach of Mr. Obama at noon when change would take its course, leaving former president George Bush, a memory of the past. The clock's hands danced its way in a full circle, when the clock struck 12:00.
Obama made his entrance after Vice-President Joe Biden. Obama was sharply dressed for this special occasion wearing a black suit and red tie. On the left fold of his suit jacket, an American flag pin was clipped onto the flap. Joe Biden was also formally dressed wearing a long black coat over his suit and a blue tie. Both Obama daughters wore dresses and layers of clothing to keep warm. Mrs. Obama was also layered to keep warm in the low temperatures.
As the historical ceremony continued during the long hours of the bitter Washington D.C morning, I was pondering several questions in my mind. For one, this was a dramatic change in history; the first African American was about to become our president. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would look upon this day as a monumental change, a change in societal development, and a compliment to the hearts of all who had suffered the cruelness of discrimination. Another aspect of this historical moment was Barack Obama's hero, Abraham Lincoln; he was the former president who brought the nation to war in an effort to end slavery. If Mr. Lincoln was alive at this very moment, sitting first-row at the inauguration, he would probably tell him to treat the country with respect. Also, to make good political decisions that would apply to everyone, never bring hate to the government, be modest, and always have open arms towards the American people.
Soon enough, Obama stepped up to the platform in front of all Americans and took the Oath of Office. After he vowed to the whole country, he spoke into the microphone. President Obama's speech started at 12:10. In his speech, he described the American policies and the future America he will bring forth. He spoke to us, telling us that the problems we have will be taken more seriously and his plan on how to take action to polish the blemishes in our country. Later on in his speech, he talked about equality. He said all the Americans are created equal, with all equality; the pursuit of happiness will be accomplished. Lastly, he said the American people had to build their trust with their government.
The ceremony ended with the "National Anthem".
In my opinion, the inauguration of Barack Obama was the most historical moment in American History since the planes crashed into the Twin Towers on September 11th, 2001. Generally, it was a wonderful experience to witness and is definitely something I won't forget.
I have high hopes for Mr. Obama. I hope that Mr. Obama will lead us out of this financial crisis. The economy we were put into is horrible, and having a huge impact on my family. If Barack Obama can patch up the holes of our sinking ship, I will truly be grateful that he was elected President. I will respond to President Obama's call to service by working hard and becoming the kind of citizen that contributes to society in a positive way. It is my sincere hope that President Obama can get this country back on its feet.
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