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Barak Obama: Takes oath as US President
At last the historic moment has come. Barack Obama took oath as 44th US President at Washington on January 20, 2009. He is the first Afro-American President of USA.
Barack Obama is a good speaker and he has proved himself to be a good politician through his speeches.
While taking oath, Barack Obama placed his right hand on Abraham Lincoln's Bible on Tuesday and stirringly affirmed: "I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear that I will execute the office President of the United States faithfully".
In front of millions of people and former Presidents, Barack Hussein Obama promised to free America from the grip of its profound economic troubles and steer away from wars in two distant lands.
Joe Biden was sworn in the 47th Vice-President. He took his oath of office from Associate Justice John Paul Stevens.
In his first address to the nation as its new leader, Barack Obama said, "Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met".
Speaking to a massive crowd, Barack Obama recalled the words of George Washington, America’s first President, enjoining Americans against faint-heartedness "in this winter of our hardship".

In his address, the new President said, "With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations".
Mr. Obama promised the world a new America that listens to all voices.
Acknowledging the historic nature of his inauguration as leader of a nation with a deeply troubled racial past, the President said, "This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed — why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath".
After Obama and other peoples' speech, the Obama couple were welcomed to the White House for coffee. Former President, George W. Bush and Laura Bush greeted them at the North Portico, according to custom.
The nation’s 56th inauguration day began after Obamas and Joe Biden attended a prayer service at St. John's Episcopal Church. |