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Shallow Nation

January 20th, 2009 at 2:02 pm

Barack Obama Inaugural Address Video, Photos

Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the U.S. on January 20, 2009. See video, photos, and transcript of his Inaugural address here, and the oath of office, which he took using the same Bible President Abraham Lincoln had used in his Inauguration in 1861.

The historic Inauguration of the nation’s first black president was witnessed by an unprecedented crowd estimated at more than two million as the new President took the oath of office. With soaring rhetoric and memorable eloquence, Obama delivered an Inauguration speech that called upon Americans to embrace a “new era of responsibility.”

He began the speech noting the severity of the crises the country faces. He said that 44 Americans had taken the oath of office, and “the words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents. So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.”

He went on to reflect upon the challenges, saying, “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 acknowledged what he termed a “sapping of confidence across our land — a nagging fear that America’s decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.” He said Americans must accept that challenges will be met, although “they will not be met easily or in a short span of time,” he said, echoing themes he has used persistently since his historic election.

He went on to affirm that challenges would be met. “On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.”

In his speech, the new president pledged to create new jobs, build up the nation’s infrastructure and “restore science to its rightful place.”

He said the United States would “begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan.” He pledged to work with other nations to fight the dangers of nuclear arms and the threat of global warming.

“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 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath,” Obama said, drawing the loudest cheers of his speech.

“So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled.”

Source: Obama Sworn in as 44th President of U.S.

Former President Bill Clinton, making his way through the Capitol after the ceremony concluded, called the speech thoughtful, weighty and well-delivered.

“It’s obviously historic because President Obama is the first African American president, but it’s more than that,” Mr. Clinton said. “This is a time when we’re clearly making a new beginning. It’s a country of repeated second chances and new beginnings.

Source: Obama Is Sworn In as the 44th President

With the highly anticipated speech, and equally high expectations, Obama’s speech has won praise and admiration from many quarters. What did not go quite as smoothly was the actual administering of the oath of office. Chief Justice John Roberts inadvertently transposed some of the words of the oath, which then tripped up Obama. You can see the full transcript of what happened here: The World Newser: The Inaugural Oath: Chief Justice Slip-Up

Here is the Inauguration speech video in its entirety, preceded by the oath of office, the playing of “Hail to the Chief” and a 21-gun salute.
Here is the Barack Obama Inauguration speech transcript. Scroll down for more Inauguration pictures.