Brian Kennedy
20 January 2009
staff blog
Washington, DC — 4:04: President Barak Obama and and first lady Michelle have gotten out of the limousine during the parade in front of the Navy Memorial to begin the traditional walk.
3:48: According to a hospital statement, Ted Kennedy is awake and answering questions. President Obama also phoned to inquiry about Kennedy's condition. The parade is about to start.
3:22: President Obama and Vice President Biden are reviewing the troops on the steps of the Capitol ahead of the parade of the White House. There is not a lot of new information on Ted Kennedy, other than that he is receiving medical attention.
2:55: President Obama is currently attending a lunch in the Capitol. There are widespread reports that Senator Ted Kennedy, who looked in good spirits earlier in the day, is receiving medical attention and had to be carried out of the lunch on the stretcher.
1:00: As the former president's helicopter circles the National Mall for one last look at the White House, the crowd sings "hey, hey goodbye."
12:57: Former President Bush and wife Laura are leaving Washington on a helicopter from the east lawn of the Capitol. They have purchased a house in Dallas, Texas, and Bush is planning on building his presidential library on the campus of Southern Methodist University. President Obama and Vice President Biden are standing on the steps.
12:42: The ceremony has now ended. President Obama and his party will now have lunch at the Capitol, then the parade will start in just over an hour.
12:25: "But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. 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, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task. This is the price and the promise of citizenship."
12:20: "We are shaped by every language and culture... As the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself."
12:18: "We are ready to lead once more," Obama said to those watching around the world. He added that the United States is a friend to all those around the world. He also mentions the village in Kenya where his father was born.
12:12: President Obama thanks Bush at the start of his address. He has outlined the challenges facing the United States, but says they can be met.
12:08: Senator Diane Feinstein introduces Obama for the inaugural address.
12:06: Roberts: "Congratulations, Mr. President," says Roberts after the oath. Obama has become the 44th president of the United States. The band is playing Hail to the Chief. Obama took the oath of office on the Lincoln Bible.
12:06: Chief Justice Roberts is now administering the oath of office, asking Obama, "Are you prepared to take the oath of office."
12:05: Even though Barack Obama has not yet taken the oath, according the constitution, he has already become President because it is after noon.
11:59: "Thank you, Mr. Justice," Biden says after the oath. Biden is the vice president of the United States.
11:57: Justice Stevens is now delivering the oath of office to Biden. Senator Bennett asks all to rise.
11:51: Rick Warren, an influential pastor from California, is currently giving the invocation. Warren's role is somewhat controversial, considering his stance against gay marriage.
11:45: Barack Obama takes the stage, hugging Representative John Lewis on the way out. Lewis was an influential member of the civil rights movement. When he took the stage, the crowd in the mall waved American flags, chanting "Obama."
11:44: MSNBC is reporting that the crowds are stretched to 20th street, which is 20 blocks from the Capitol. People are also sitting on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
11:40: Obama is currently ready to take the stage. He was scheduled to take the stage at 11:30, so things are currently a little behind schedule. Obama is suppose to take the oath of office by noon local time.
11:38: President Bush and Vice President Cheney are currently taking the stage. Cheney is in a wheelchair after reportedly throwing out his back while moving boxes this weekend.
11:22: The former presidents and vice presidents are now being introduced to the crowd. President George Herbert Walker Bush and wife Barbara were just introduced, and President Bill Clinton and wife Hillary will be introduced next.
11:01: George W. Bush and Barack Obama have made their way up Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House to the Capitol. Most of the VIPs, including Senators John McCain, the runner-up, and Ted Kennedy are already seated. Chief Justice John Roberts will swear in Obama. Justice John Paul Stevens will swear in Joe Biden.
10:15: Good morning from a cold Washington, DC. The inauguration will start in about one hour and 15 minutes. Right now, President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle are having coffee with President George W. Bush and his wife Laura. Earlier, the Obamas attended the traditional prayer service at St. John's Church near the White House. They are suppose to have coffee until 10:40.
The National Mall, which stretches from the Capitol is already full with people. The National Park Police, which is charge of the National Mall, closed it to additional crowds minutes ago. People are now being directed to the grounds that hold the Memorials further away from the Capitol. Here is a map of both the Mall and parade route to help you out.
Also, news outlets are reporting that there have been cases of hypothermia on the Mall because of the extreme cold. Metro, the subway system, is experiencing delays right now because a person was hit and injured by a train. Overall though, things seem to be running pretty smoothly.
Read comments. Write your own.
Copyright © 2009 allAfrica.com. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
Mr. Barack Obama dream come truth when mine as not each started. But I admire is sense of leadership and inspiration as well as challenges in brought to our generation.
I have been inspired to his way of seeing live and suggesting the way forward. I believe that his 8 years in the office will change alot in America foreign affairs in Africa and Arab world.
I believe also, he will still chosing hope over fear when is making decision on the matter on the war in Africa.
I salut his presidency and wish him good luck as he lead us in this journey of change.
President Hussein Barack Obama has left no stone unturn,unlike his predecessor who, in most of his speeches, used the word ´´Terrorism``and whether you are with us or with the terrorists makes many people say if the US foreingn policy doesnot change,there will always be hatred against them. Indeed,President Obama has made it very clear,the US is ready to work with many nations around the world,but he failed to mention the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine which is the key factor of breeding more terrorism in the world.However,he has pledged to lift the American people from poverty and improve the standard of education in the country by creting jobs and less dependent on oil from the Middle East and fight climate change.All eyes are now upon him if he will be capable of fulfilling his promises as he is not a Messiah.He also pledge to a mutual understanding and respect with the Muslim world.He has just started one of his top priorities by putting a halt to the Guantanmo Bay trials of the 9/11 culprits.A good start anyway. May be the bringing back home of the US troops from Iraq and restore peace in Afhganistan will be welcomed,but I advise him not to increase troops into a country that has known wars for over 30years now.Obama is a beakon to our African leaders who donot want to relinquish power easyly unless they are either forced out through coup D'etat or they finally kick the bucket.
God Bless America!!! Good luck and God's speed to President Obama!!!!
As an American I can tell you it's infuriating reading these comments. Let's get one thing straight. America never did any harm to your continent. Don't categorize us with the Europeans who DID colonize you. America has never done a thing to you, in fact millions of our tax dollars to go feed you and buy your medicine for HIV and you are incredibly ungracious about it. Now Obama will double the aid to Africa as he promised and you will still point fingers at us when it is China that will be your biggest threat in the future. Stop making excuses for yourselves. You cannot do anything about the past but you certainly can do something about your future if you stop the crying game and refuse to be victims.
Jade406, you hit the nail on the head. Well said.
Active Discussions: Live Blogging Barack Obama's Inauguration