What a truly historic day today has been … and just like that, the moment that we have been anxiously awaiting for months (for some of us, years and decades) has already passed. It’s days like today that just make me marvel at the amazingness of the US government. As a student of history and government, I’ve spent much time studying the traditions and laws of our government … but it’s another thing entirely to see it play out in real-time, in front of the entire world. This inauguration will really be one to be remembered for all time … the historicness of Obama‘s Presidency will be forever etched in our nation’s history. And we will, one day, think back to this day and recall where we were when Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America … a fact noted by the newly revamped WhiteHouse.gov website:
I think it was fitting for me to be glued to my TV and my computer when the moment came … so much of my life has been tied up in media for the past few years. I really considered making my way out to Washington DC to be there in person but, because of the big changes in my personal life, decided to just stay here in SoCal instead. My dear friends Diana and Jordan are in DC today … Jordan and I chatted a bit this morning on the phone. He tells me he got a spot at the front of the National Mall to watch today’s events. Diana, who lives in DC, most likely hung back and opted out of braving the mass of people who came to town for the ceremony.
Remember where you were in the moment today … it’ll be a story you’ll be telling your children, grandchildren, etc. in the years to come :)
In a couple of hours, I’m meeting up with some friends at Steph & Alek’s for our Inauguration Pool Party. We’ve got fun decorations and plan to whoop it up until the sun goes down. Happy New President, y’all!
I was in the staff lounge at the college library where I work with about eight of my co-workers – we applauded when the audience applauded, we stood when Obama took his oath of office – it was very, very cool.
I drove home on my lunchbreak just to watch it. I was lying on my couch videoing the whole thing with my camera. I was teary eyed and very proud. I text my son soon after it was over.
:)
drunk as hell is where i was..too much jack daniels last night…hootyhoo
I skipped class today to watch it with my suite mates. There was no way my children were going to ask me where I was at that moment and have me respond with “a class lecture”.
Best decision I’ve made this semester!
I am living in Italy right now–so watching videos from other “channels” re: Inauguration–his speech and the luncheon!!! It is a GREAT day to be an American!
Hauled ass from the gym up to my grad school lab, and found a bunch of colleagues watching it on a little TV in the hallway. What a great day!!!!!!! Today is one of the few days where I wish I had a TV, so I could watch the coverage allll dayyyy….. Good luck, Mr. President!
I grew up in the DC area and lived there my whole life until I moved to Denver for grad school and can’t BELIEVE I wasn’t there!!! But I watched with my fellow social work students at school and we were so proud, both as social workers and Americans. :) :) :)
What a great day! Happy Change!
I was sleeping. Well, it was 3am here! lol
Obama has huge expectations to live up to, not only in the US, but for the rest of the world. I hope he can live up to them. I do wish him and his family a safe journey in the White House.
I work in healthcare administration and I thought it would be just business as usual in the chaos of the hospital. I was planning on watching it online later. But then, my boss pulled me into one of the conference rooms and we all watched the ceremony. Everyone was quietly crying when Obama spoke. Amazing, I always believed the VPs to be Republican…
The VPs of the hospital, just to clarify-not the vice president, ha ha
I am a Canadian living in Germany who studies political science and international relations. I sussed out the American Democrats Abroad bunch here so as to watch and revel in this day in company. We toasted with champagne at both 6pm our time (as Obama legally became pres) as well as after the completion of the oath and his brilliantly eloquent address. For the first time in my life (I am 27 years old) I could allow myself to be mesmerized by a man whose words I have yearned to hear spoken. Today is a good day — and Michelle looked smashing as well!
oh, and our celebration was hosted with giant screens in the Museum of COMMUNICATION. how appropriate, no!?!
My boss saw me trying to watch it on my computer, and she told me to turn it up and everyone in the office watched it together!
I was at home in the DC suburbs watching (with my 3 1/2 y.o. daughter) & wishing my husband could’ve been home watching with us, but he had to go in because all of the DC & MD employees got to work from home, thus he couldn’t :(
However, it was great to watch and your blog coverage has been GREAT all day! Thanks for always keeping things on your site in tune with what’s going on in the world!
I was watching the House marathon on USA..I’m so sick of the coverage and how many blowhards are all over the media..The rest of the day will be watching It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia.. :)
I watched it on television from my home in NY……..however, I considered driving down and taking my three kids to see this event (my uncle lives just outside D.C)…….BUT with my husband in Afghanistan (he left for his 3rd war zone tour December 26th) I didn’t want to brave that kind of crowd without him……….so I am glad I stayed home. A historic day indeed and I am excited to see how the next 100 days will play out!
I live right outside DC, but didn’t go fight the crowds & deal with the freezing temps out there. I have been glued to my tv all day though, watching this historic moment, & getting teary eyed with so many others I’m sure. This is an amazing moment in history :o)
We watched the speech in class, streaming from the internet. Congratulations U.S.A!
I watched it on TV during school in Toronto, Canada. The janitor set up three TVs and placed them in the school chapel, library, and the hallway, so anyone was able to watch him getting sworn in. For two periods, everyone skipped lunch and some skipped class just to watch the inauguration. A few teachers were there and had their class stay in until Obama finished his speech. Some people were even willing to come to class late just to watch Obama’s speech. I was happy I was able to watch history being made.