President Barack Obama's Inaugural Address ★ Official Video LIVE (CNN)

WASHINGTON -- Barack Obama was sworn in today as the nation's first African American president, bringing an air of optimism and promises of change to bear on the parallel challenges of a damaged economy and two unfinished wars.

Obama recited the 35-word oath of office, administered for the first time by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. His right hand held high, Obama became the 44th man to make the constitutionally mandated promise to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution."
AP Photo/Elise AmendolaPresident Barack Obama, left, shakes hands with Chief Justice John Roberts after taking the oath of office at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009. At right rear is first lady Michelle Obama. Prepared text of President Barack Obama's inaugural address LIVE VIDEO COMPLETE COVERAGE PREVIOUS ARTICLES INAUGURATION DAY SCHEDULE

Michelle Obama, held the Bible -- the same one used by Abraham Lincoln during his 1861 inauguration -- as her husband took the oath shortly before noon.

Moments earlier, Justice John Paul Stevens had sworn in Vice President Joseph Biden of Delaware.

A crowd judged to have exceeded one million people braved harsh temperatures as they lined up before dawn to witness the historic swearing in of Obama. They waved flags and pictures of Obama, chanting and singing as the big moment approached and Obama stood before them prepared to take the reins of power.

The crowd shouted "O-bam-a" and issued low boos and catcalls when President Bush was shown onscreen and announced.

Tens of thousands of police and military personnel were on hand to keep order, though they were at times unable to contain the masses. There were places where frustration tamped down the patience, but no major incidents occurred.

Marilyn Coleman, 34 of Somerset, said the inconvenience and cold experienced by inaugural pilgrims yesterday hardly compares to the hardships endured by African Americans in the early years of the civil rights movement.

"My parents grew up in Mississippi in the sixties," an emotional Coleman said. "People were getting hosed, and dogs. I'll take the cold from the weather (over) being hosed or beaten trying to be treated like a human," she said.

Obama, 47, ascended to White House after a startlingly swift political rise that brought him from the Illinois state house to the White House in a mere four years.
Barack Obama takes oath of office
Barack Obama takes oath of office

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[badtown88]

McCain blows. If Obama's a phony, then McCain is the ultimate phony.

[nandiito]

haha Lol shut your mouth looser! haha McCainn sucks. He is just an employed of Obama

[tech4156]

those cannons were aimed at bush

[TheReubenDean]

farce!

[The1989KID]

obama obama obama, could you let me in on this thing. just riddle me this, what is youtube?

[FuckingStanz]

I'm not against Obama, but you are pretty ignorant if you think he's the best president or "presindet" (nice illiteracy) the USA has ever had. For one thing, he's not even been president for a year and nothing has really been accomplished yet. Use your head, you can't make that judgement call til AFTER he's out of office.

And you didn't even spell his name right. You sound like a real fan!

[luciA1386]

the blind are you jajaja you are angry because Barak Obama is the best presindet that USA has had, so you are stupid

[AzaelVI]

This naïve socialistic, narcissistic fools term needed to end the day it began. I dont care if its a Democrat, Republican or Independent in 2012. Anyone other than this ultra leftist charlatan. Start now. Take America back.

[maartinjsh86]

your blind.

[wiiguy145]

you know hes using lincolns bible in 1861 during his oath of office