President Barack Obama is officially sworn in as the 44th U.S. President
Wired PR News – President Barack Obama was officially sworn in as the 44th President of the United States at approximately 11:05 a.m. ET Obama subsequently addressed the nation describing the present as “a moment that will define a generation.”
Obama’s powerful twenty-minute speech opened with the statement, “I stand here humbled by the task before us.” He further stated, “Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real…But know this America, they will be met…The time has come to set aside childish things…to choose our better history…Our capacity has not been diminished, but…starting today we must begin again the work of rebuilding our history.”
Today’s swearing in ceremony also featured songstress Aretha Franklin belting out a soulful rendition of “My Country Tis of Thee,” and Purpose of the Driven Life author Pastor Rick Warren providing an opening prayer.
Other Inaugural events are scheduled throughout the remainder of the day.
Photo Credit: Pete Souza, The Obama-Biden Transition Project
