Barack Obama inauguration

Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th president of the United States on the West Front of the Capitol during the inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. View a slideshow of these images.

Section:Gallery

Tue., Jan. 20, 2009

Barack Obama, left, joined by his wife Michelle, second from left, and daughters Sasha, third from left, and Malia, takes the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts to become the 44th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Elise Amendola Ap
Bundled people pack the National Mall for the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Carolyn Kaster Ap
President Bush, right, walks out with President-elect Barack Obama, on the North Portico of the White House before sharing the presidential limousine enroute to Capitol Hill for inauguration in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Pablo Monsivais Ap
Shareef Harrison, 9, left, and Cheryl Odom, right, show off their decorated flags during an inauguration ceremony at the Harlem Armory on Jan. 20, 2009, in New York prior to the inauguration.

Frank Ii Ap
Former President Bill Clinton greets Michelle Obama, wife of President-elect Barack Obama as they arrive at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, for Obama's swearing-in ceremony.

Ron Edmonds Ap
Photographers crowd a camera stand as people fill the National Mall before the inauguration of Barack Obama and Joe Biden at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Susan Walsh Ap
President Bush, center right, and first lady Laura Bush, center left, welcome President-elect Barack Obama, far left, and his wife Michelle Obama, right, on the North Portico of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Pablo Monsivais Ap
Barack Obama arrives for his inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Susan Walsh Ap
Michelle Obama arrives for the inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Jae Hong Ap
Former President George H.W. Bush arrives alongside his granddaughters, Barbara Bush, right, and Jenna Bush, at the U.S. Capitol for the swearing in of Barack Obama in Washington, Tuesday, Jan 20, 2009.

Saul Loeb Ap
Jenna Bush Hager, left, and her sister, Barbara Bush, daughters of President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush, arrive at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Ron Edmonds Ap
Secretary of State nominee Hillary Rodham Clinton and former President Bill Clinton are greeted as they arrive at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Ron Edmonds Ap
A Secret Service agent readies the new presidential limousine that will take President George W. Bush and President-elect Barack Obama from the White House to the inauguration ceremony at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Charles Dharapak Ap
Sen. Arlin Specter, R-Pa., takes a picture as he arrives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, for the swearing-in of President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden.

Ron Edmonds Ap
Sen John McCain, R-Ariz., right, talks with Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., as they arrive at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Ron Edmonds Ap
Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., right, arrives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, for the swearing-in of President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden.

Ron Edmonds Ap
An attendee holds up his sign as he waits for the inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Evan Agostini Ap
Former President Jimmy Carter and wife Rosalynn arrive at the inauguration of Barack Obama on the West Front of the Capitol Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009 in Washington.

Mark Wilson Ap
President 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.

Elise Amendola Ap
President Barack Obama gives his inaugural address at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, after being sworn in as the president of the United States.
President Barack Obama rests his hand on President Lincoln's Inaugural Bible as his wife Michelle Obama holds it as he takes the oath of office at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Elise Amendola Associated Press
President Barack Obama, right, is congratulated by daughter Sasha, lower left, as first lady Michelle Obama looks on after taking the oath of office at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Susan Walsh Associated Press
President Barack Obama, left, kisses his wife, first lady Michelle Obama, after taking the oath of office at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Elise Amendola Associated Press
President Barack Obama delivers his inaugural address at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Jae Hong Associated Press
Vice President-elect Joseph Biden is sworn in during the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America on the West Front of the Capitol Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009 in Washington, Biden's wife, Jill, holds the Bible.

Mark Wilson Associated Press
"Pretty amazing," says Rick Rubin, left, who with Gary Singer, right, watches President Barack Obama give his inaugural on TV's in Dutch's Pawn Shop in downtown Spokane, WA Jan. 20, 2009. COLIN MULVANY The Spokesman-Review

Colin Mulvany Associated Press
President-elect Barack Obama, left, and his wife Michelle and daughters Sasha, right and Malia, are seen on the podium moments before Obama was sworn in as the 44th president at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Chuck Kennedy Ap
Barack Obama, left, takes the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts, not seen, as his wife Michelle, holds the Lincoln Bible and daughters Sasha, right and Malia, watch at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Chuck Kennedy Ap
Margot Goodson and her daughter Saniah, 2, of Feasterville, Pa., take the Oath of Office at an interactive display during Inauguaration Day activities at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia Tuesday Jan. 20, 2009.

Jacqueline Larma Ap
A woman cheers as she watches the televised inauguration of President Barack Obama at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Mark Humphrey Ap
Sonia Tucker, left, and Hortense Jenkins, right, both from the Queens borough of New York, react as they and others watch a live television broadcast of the inauguration proceedings for President Barack Obama from Sylvia's restaurant in New York's Harlem section Tuesday Jan. 20, 2009.

Tina Fineberg Ap
A street sign that normally reads End Bush is covered up with Begin Obama is shown on Inauguration day for President Barack Obama in San Francisco, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Jeff Chiu Ap
Elementary school students watch a television broadcast of the inauguration of President Barack Obama, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, at the Omaha Children's Museum in Omaha, Neb.

Dave Weaver Ap
Former Vice President Dick Cheney sits in a wheelchair as he leaves the Capitol after Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Charles Dharapak Ap
From left: First lady Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama, Former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush laugh as former Vice President Dick Cheney departs on the East Front of the Capitol after Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States in Washington Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009 in Washington.

Tannen Maury Ap
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama and former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush, are flanked by honor guards during the send off of former President Bush on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2009, in Washington.

Manuel Ceneta Ap
President Barack Obama talks with former President George W. Bush as they walk alongside first lady Michelle Obama and Laura Bush as the Bushes prepare to leave the Capitol on a military helicopter after Obama was sworn in as the 44th US president in Washington Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Saul Loeb Ap
Crowds gather along the National Mall during the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Barack Obama, Tuesday, Jan, 20, 2009, in Washington.

Luis Alvarez Ap
Former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush wave as they board a Marine helicopter at the Capitol in Washington after Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Charles Dharapak Ap
The helicopter with former President Bush inside flies over the Capitol in Washington Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, after Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president.

Alex Brandon Ap
President Barack Obama leaves the President's Room as he is applauded by members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies after signing his first act as president, a proclamation, moments after being sworn in as the 44th President of the United States during the inaugural ceremony in Washington Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Molly Riley Ap
President Barack Obama arrives at a luncheon at Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Lawrence Jackson Ap
President Barack Obama shares a laugh with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, at the start of a luncheon at Statuary Hall in the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Lawrence Jackson Ap
President Barack Obama, center, with from left to right, Jill Biden, Vice-President Joe Biden, first lady Michelle Obama and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and her husband, Paul Pelosi are seen at the start of their lunch at Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Lawrence Jackson Ap
President Barack Obama, his wife Michelle, left, Vice President Joseph Biden, second from right, and his wife Jill, right, are escorted by Major General Richard Rowe as they prepare to review the troops from the steps of the Capitol after Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009 in Washington.

Tannen Maury Ap
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama waves to the crowd as they walk down Pennsylvania Ave. after the inauguration ceremony in Washington Tuesday, Jan.. 20, 2009.

Jose Magana Ap
President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, alongside Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, watch a military review from the east steps of the Capitol Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Saul Loeb Ap
President Barack Obama with first lady Michelle Obama, and Vice President Joe Biden with wife Jill Biden, right, review the troops at the start of the inaugural parade from the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2009, in Washington.

Manuel Ceneta Ap
President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle walk on Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, during his inaugural parade.

Jae Hong Ap
Vice President Joe Biden, third from left, walks with, from left, Hunter Biden, Beau Biden, and Jill Biden walk down Pennsylvania Ave. during the inaugural parade Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009 in Washington.

Evan Vucci Ap
Vice President Joe Biiden gestures during the inaugural parade in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Jae Hong Ap
President Barack Obama, left, and his daughter Sasha peer through the windows of the presidential limousine as they are driven down Pennsylvania Ave. to the White House following his inauguration, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, in Washington.

Haraz Ghanbari Ap
The presidential limousine carrying President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters, lower right, is driven down Pennsylvania Ave. toward the White House following his inauguration on Capitol Hill, rear, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, in Washington.

Haraz Ghanbari Ap
U.S. Army Sgt. James Bishop from the 229th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, wipes away tears as he watches the inauguration of President Barack Obama at Camp Liberty in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009."My mother always wanted to be here," said Bishop, 39, an African-American from Washington, D.C. "She always wanted this to happen, and she said it was going to happen one day," he said. "Unfortunately, she passed before this time came." Across Iraq, many of the 140,000 U.S. service members here watched the inaugural ceremony on television sets in dining halls and break rooms or on the Web at large installations with Internet service.

Maya Alleruzzo Ap
Larry Greene, from the Nezperce Tribe of Idaho, stands on the National Mall Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, in Washington as he waits to join the Inauguration Day parade.

Kevin Wolf Ap
Bobby Edge raises his arms in celebration as Barack Obama takes the oath as President of the United States on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009 in Charlotte, N.C.

Gary O'Brien Ap
Lines of motorcycles, ahead of President Barack Obama's inaugural parade is seen on Pennsylvania Ave, near the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Jae Hong Ap
Kate Mitchell, of Lexington, Ky., holds "Mouse" down as officials bandage the horse's leg after he was injured while walking to the Inauguration Day parade Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, in Washington.

Kevin Wolf Ap
Former President Bill Clinton talks with table mates at a luncheon in Statuary Hill Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009 at the Capitol in Washington. Secretary of State designate, Hillary Clinton is at left.

Harry Hamburg Ap
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden enter the President's Room in the U.S. Capitol where Obama signed his first act as president after being sworn in as the 44th President of the United States during the inaugural ceremony in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Molly Riley Ap