Obama Sworn In As 44th American President
Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States of America, becoming the nation's first black chief executive.
In his speech, the 47-year-old highlighted America's "patchwork heritage" as a strength and this day a reminder of "who we are and how far we have traveled."
"This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed," he said to a crowd thousands strong. "Why 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."
Obama, taking the oath of office on the slim Lincoln bible, centered his speech around the "gathering clouds" of economic insecurity and terrorism. He urged the nation to remember the spirit of which America was founded.
"At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office," he said, "but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents."
Vice President Joe Biden was sworn in 10 minutes before Obama, taking U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Steven's cues with practiced ease. Obama stumbled over the words of the Presidential oath, misread by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, but recovered with a quick smile.
