USA: Millions watch as President Obama enters history books

. Inauguration of the 44th President of the USA: A report from across the Atlantic YORKSHIRE, England / Yorkshire Post / January 20, 2009 THEY came to watch history in the making - the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. With one hand on Abraham Lincoln's inaugural Bible, the 47-year-old son of a Kenyan father and white American mother pledged the Oath of Office before a hopeful nation and a global audience of billions. In becoming the 44th president of America he also inherited a country in deep recession, with rising unemployment and an army fighting wars in two countries. Nerves may have got the better of him as he took his oath but the fumble failed to dampen the enthusiasm with which he was cheered by the crowds lining the National Mall. His inaugural speech carried echoes of Martin Luther King, in proclaiming "all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness". He challenged Americans to look at the achievements of the founding fathers to draw inspiration in meeting today's global challenges. "Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America," he said. "For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. "We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. "We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. "All this we can do. And all this we will do." His speech, which warned of tougher times ahead, was greeted raucously by those who watched the ceremony and who listened intently as he urged a new sense of responsibility for Americans. His new style had earlier been displayed with the invocation given by conservative evangelical pastor Rick Warren, a sign of his tolerance to those whose views differ from his own. Less controversial were performances from soul legend Aretha Franklin who sang Let Freedom Ring, and violinist Itzhak Pearlman. The inauguration ceremony will be followed by a special luncheon and then a massive parade through Washington, led by the President and Vice-President. The Obamas will watch the remainder of the celebrations from a specially built platform amid tight security. An estimated 8,000 police officers are on duty, along with almost a thousand FBI personnel, Transportation Security Administration screeners and others, including 10,000 National Guard troops. A further 20,000 members of the National Guard are being held in reserve. Tonight, Mr Obama and his wife Michelle are due to attend around 10 inaugural balls. While the celebrations and formalitiies are undertaken, White House staff are moving their belongings in. By tradition, even the family's clothes will be unpacked and hanging up in wardrobes waiting for them, their children Malia and Sasha, and Mrs Obama's mother, to return as the 'First Family' of the US. Mr Bush and his wife Laura have already moved their belongings from the White House and have already left for Texas where special events have been arranged to welcome them home. Continuing a White House ritual, Mr Bush has left a note in the Oval Office for the President-elect, wishing him well as he takes the reins of the executive branch. The White House declined to provide specific details of the message left, saying only that Mr Bush wrote it yesterday and left it in the top drawer of his desk "The theme is similar to what he's said since election night about the fabulous new chapter President-elect Obama is about to start, and that he wishes him the very best," White House press secretary Dana Perino said. During his last moments in the Oval Office, former President Ronald Reagan scribbled a note for his successor on a notepad with a turkey insignia that said "Don't let the turkeys get you down." He, too, slipped the note in the presidential desk for his successor, President George H.W. Bush. Four years after that, the elder Bush left a note for President Bill Clinton. And eight years after that, Mr Clinton wrote a note for Mr Bush, and included a copy of the message he had received from his father. In a first for a swearing in ceremony, Washington's entire National Mall - the park leading up to the Lincoln Memorial - has been opened to the public. And from the early hours, the park begin to fill with expectant Obama supporters. Out-of-towners and Washington residents alike have overwhelmed the transport and filled city streets. Tens of thousands of people turning Washington's orderly grid of streets into a festive party scene throughout the morning. While attendance at the ceremony is by ticket only, it will be broadcast on giant screens and tens of thousands of people are still arriving, determined to be able to say they were there today. Christian Alderson, of Berryville, Virginia, said he was in Memphis, Tennessee when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. The 73-year-old said: "That day was sorrowful. This is a dream come true for me." Black actor Denzil Washington, Mohammad Ali, Dustin Hoffman and Oprah Winfrey were among the ticket-holding dignitaries to have seats in front of the Capitol building for the ceremony. Police in the city projected inaugural crowds between one million and two million. The previous record for an inauguration was for Lyndon B Johnson in 1965. Around 1.2 million people turned up to see Johnson sworn in as president. ©2009 Johnston Press Digital Publishing