Obama Takes Office As First African-American President

On January 20, Barack Obama claimed his place in history as America’s first black president before a jubilant crowd of more than a million in Washington D.C. The presidency passed to Obama from George W. Bush at noon and Obama thanked Bush for his service as president. It was an extraordinary day in the life of America and a day of high spirits. People of all colors and ages welcomed the new president with new hopes and wishes. Change has finally come to America! Wearing a navy suit and red tie, the 44th U.S. president repeated the oath of office, putting his hand on the same Bible used by President Abraham Lincoln. On the inaugural parade route, Obama and his wife Michelle walked a few blocks, waving to cheering crowds under the watchful eyes of security agents. “Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the work of remaking America,” Obama said in his inaugural address. “We gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. We will overcome our serious economic and international challenges. We are ready to lead once more.” His inspirational inaugural address only briefly mentioned a series of pledges from his presidential campaign: to get the U.S. out of Iraq, stabilize Afghanistan, create jobs, boost the use of alternative energy, address climate change, transform schools, manage government spending wisely and oversee a more bipartisan, and less-divisive approach to policy-making. As Obama took office in a time of economic crisis, with some 11 million people now out of work, he said he will focus his energy on reviving the economy. He placed blame for the recent economic collapse not just on greed and irresponsibility on the part of some but also on the inability or unwillingness of everyone to move the country beyond an industrial-based economy. “What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly,” Obama said. His entrance to the White House was cheered all around the world as a sign that America will be more embracing and more open to change. “With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come,” Obama said.