Change And Challenge: Dream Big Dreams

A Look Back At The Historic Inauguration Of President Barack Obama

(CBS)  With taking the oath of office, 47-year-old Barack Hussein Obama became the 44th President of the United States on Jan. 20, 2009.

Many understand the historic significance of this Inauguration Day, but no one carries the burden more than Obama himself, who is now the first African-American president.

"There's no other country on Earth that can undergo these kinds of transformations with the same speed and yet still stay stable and still stay true to its core traditions," Obama told CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric in an interview taped just days ago.

This day of great tradition began with one that was started by FDR in 1933, with the president-to-be attending church with his family.

After the service the president-elect and his wife Michelle arrived at the White House, greeted warmly by President Bush and wife Laura. It was a passing of the baton - the transition of power, democracy at its finest.

Then, Obama and the outgoing president headed to the Capitol for the swearing in and the transfer of power.

Starting before daybreak, people from around the country and around the world converged on the Mall to witness history.

Vice President Joe Biden was the first to be sworn in. A short time later, it was Obama's turn.

The oath of office was followed by the president's inaugural address.

There have been words in inaugural addresses that have been etched in our national memory, like FDR in 1933, telling the nation, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself."

Or John F. Kennedy, who said in 1961, "Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country."

Presidential historian Doug Wead says these tough times have put Obama in a position where Tuesday's speech had to be more serious than celebratory. "This was not a motivational speech this - was a come-to-work-speech," he said. "This was business. He's already started being president. He's working here. He was issuing instructions."

Obama's speech acknowledged the daunting challenges ahead. "That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age," he said in his address.

The new president also reached out. "To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect."

But to the nation's enemies, he issued a warning. "For those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you."

Aretha Franklin - one of the most beloved African-American singers of her generation and a symbol of black pride - performed "My Country, 'Tis Of Thee."

"I am playing a very small part in the swearing in, but I am just thrilled. And I'm over the top with it," she said.

She looks at this day as a culmination of the civil rights movement and the great men who paved the way for President Barack Obama. "I think he represents, yes, some of the fruition of the dream and the labor and the sweat and the blood and tears that went along with that struggle."

The San Francisco Boys and Girls Choirs were chosen to perform because they embody the American spirit and the promise of the future, among them Emma Ulriksen, 16, Duane Smith, 12, and Amelia de Snoo, 14.

"It's a really great feeling knowing that we're gonna be able to spread hope to this many people 'cause, like Obama, us as choristers, our goal is to spread hope to people listening to our singing, just as Obama spreads hope through his inspirational speeches," de Snoo said.

"Unlike adult choirs, we're younger and we represent the youth in America, which I think is important because the entire world is gonna be watching," she added.

Poet and friend of Obama Elizabeth Alexander read a piece she called "praise song for the day."

And the Reverend Dr. Joseph Lowery, considered the dean of the civil rights movement, gave his benediction, ending it by saying "We ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around... When yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen."

The crowd thundered, "Amen!"

After the ceremony, a reflective former President Bush said goodbye and headed home to Texas, the transition complete.

Then the Obamas took to the streets, walking on Pennsylvania Avenue, before reviewing the parade.

President Obama understands that his journey was more than a long shot - an African-American, a black father from Kenya, a white mother from Kansas.

"By all sensible odds, I shouldn't be sworn in as the 44th president. It was very unlikely, born to a single mom who was 18 at the time," he told Couric.

"If your mom could be here and could be standing near you as you're sworn in…," Couric asked.

"She'd be crying. She was a real softy," he replied.

Asked what he'd say to her, Obama said, "Thank you, 'cause me being here is a testimony to her love. It is a testament to just her fierce determination. So I'm a reflection of her. Wherever she is right now, I think she knows that."

[sandy19731]

Over one million people on the mall yesterday.
No arrests.
No significant property damage.
No significant personal injuries.
No fights reported.
30 lost children returned to their parents.
Good security, Good Citizens.
Reported by the Washington Post this morning.

[irmcvet971]

Obama will keep very few of his campaign promises. He and his supporters are already trying to soften up the American people to that idea. The reason will be anything but that he was saying all of these things just to get elected and begin to move the US towards becoming a Socialist Republic with him as the head dictator.

Look for a "Civilian Security Force" agenda in the not to distant future. This would be the start of a Gestapo type operation to keep the people in line and send people they see as standing in the way to prisons.

The fear of this one of the major reasons Americans give for purchasing firearms and ammo.

Posted by assemblyofso at 08:51 AM : Jan 21, 2009

FEAR is pretty much all you losers have left isn''t it!! NO SOLUTIONS! NO IDEA''S!! NO SUCCESS!! Just scare the simply minded into continuing what we all know doesn''t work. You and all your kind are so sad...

[irmcvet971]

Yay! The first Half white president!

Posted by imHALFspicy at 08:30 AM : Jan 21, 2009

I''d suppose in that TINY mind of your''s YOU think this somehow discredits our new President. I didn''t vote for or against him because of his race. I voted for him because he was the best person running. I''d say YOUR argument would be with the black community or the other kids in your kindergarten class.

[irmcvet971]

What''''s the name Obama''''s new armored personnel carrier, Butch or B*tch, or something like that?

Posted by b4ucmyI at 10:21 PM : Jan 20, 2009

I think it''s the PROPERTY of the United States! I also think, because of the Armor plating and security device''s those who built it called it the "Beast". Now what IS your point?

[irmcvet971]

The President is right! When you compare our problems to some faced by those before us, they are big but not as big as those already overcome. This NATION IS a BIG Dream. A DREAM others thought was absolutely INSANE. In the time of Jefferson the IDEA that the Common Man could Govern themselves was considered INSANITY! We can overcome this and we will overcome this.

[assemblyofso]

Obama will keep very few of his campaign promises. He and his supporters are already trying to soften up the American people to that idea. The reason will be anything but that he was saying all of these things just to get elected and begin to move the US towards becoming a Socialist Republic with him as the head dictator.

Look for a "Civilian Security Force" agenda in the not to distant future. This would be the start of a Gestapo type operation to keep the people in line and send people they see as standing in the way to prisons.

The fear of this one of the major reasons Americans give for purchasing firearms and ammo.

[imhalfspicy]

Yay! The first Half white president!

[demiproud]

Its a wonderful day.

[blupooch]

Pres. Obama''s personal carrier I believe is called "The Beast". I really feel bad for Timnguyen1. Never in my life have I seen any one person bring people together like they have been for todays'' inauguration.Change of this magnitude can''t happen over night, but it can and will, and it will be for the better. I''ve never believed that more than I do now. Yes, 1.3 million people successfully quit smoking, but if everyone was able to quit on the first, second, or third try we wouldn''t be seeing the tv,magazine,newspaper,billboard and hearing radio adds trying to get people to quit now would we?

[scott743]

The first African-American President of the United States of America has been sworn into office. It is truly an amazing story one that will be remembered and will be the topic of conversations in the future. Just as we today invoke great names from our past like Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Kennedy, future generations of Americans will do the same with the name of Obama.
We now have a president for the people, elected by the people. But the people seem to have some far reaching expectations and unreasonable goals and ideologies. But what we must remember is that President Obama is just a man, he will make mistakes, he will not be able to solve all of our problems; and the road ahead is going to be long and difficult and more hardship is surely to come.
I am not trying to pessimistic, but this is the reality of the times. No matter what your political affiliation, no matter what your personal beliefs are, we as a nation must unite and work together through this difficult time. Pray for our leaders that they may have the wisdom to make the right decisions. We must start showing compassion and love toward our fellow man, and declare once and for all that we ARE a nation under GOD, indivisible with liberty and justice for ALL.

If we can accomplish this, history will look back on us the same way we look back on the generation that fought in WWII. Never stop telling their stories, never forget their sacrifice, for their history pens the words of our future.

[b4ucmyi]

What''s the name Obama''s new armored personnel carrier, Butch or B*tch, or something like that?