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| Obama era dawns in White House |
| Lalit K Jha / PTI / Washington Jan 21, 2009, 13:42 IST |
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The Obama era has dawned in the White House with the first African-American President of the US stepping inside the 132-room mansion, built by black slaves in the 18th century, after his historic swearing-in to spend at least four years in power there.
Barack Obama along with First Lady Michelle and their two young daughters staying in the White House is not only a dream come true for the new President, but also for a majority of black Americans, who till a few years ago believed that this day would never come at least in their life time.
But this became a reality when Obama, 47, put his one hand on the historic gilt-edged Bible used for the first inaugural of Abraham Lincoln, held by Michelle, and took the oath of office in presence of two million people, who had come to attend the ceremony from all over the US and many from overseas. Obama says he seeks inspiration from Lincoln.
A large number of spectators became emotional and were seen weeping, while the crowd on either side of the inaugural parade route turned hysteric as the President and the First Lady came out of their new limousine and walked down for several minutes, waving at the people.
After a brief visit to the White House in the afternoon yesterday following the oath-taking ceremony, Obama, clad in a sleek black overcoat and maroon scarf, and his wife, who was in a glittering pale gold designer outfit and green gloves, walked up to the Presidential viewing stand to watch the inaugural parade which continued for several hours even beyond dusk had set in.
Obama and the First Lady were accompanied by their cheering daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, along with the family of Vice President Joe Biden.
Obama, who in just a few years time has caught the imagination of the US people, was seen smiling, waving and even dancing at times as the marching band passed through.
Earlier, soon after former President George W Bush left by helicopter for Andrews Air Force Base to take a flight to his home town in Texas, Obama walked into the Capitol to sign his Cabinet nominations and a proclamation of national renewal and reconciliation.
"I'm a lefty. Get used to it," Obama said as he signed on the first paper. "I was told not to swipe the pen."
Thereafter, Obama had traditional Congressional luncheon with some 200 specially invited guests at the Capitol.
On Obama's platter there was the food and dishes enjoyed by Lincoln on his inauguration day. The menu included seafood stew, pheasant and duck served with sour cherry chutney and apple cinnamon sponge cake. Replicas of china used during the Lincoln administration were laid out for guests.
Obama used the occasion to urge the lawmakers to work together for the betterment of the nation. "I think the depth of the moment is expressed by the people beyond these halls, millions of people who, over the last three, four days, and tens of millions more over the last two years have participated in the very essence of our democracy.
"It's not just their size, but it's their intensity and their engagement," Obama said.
What's happening today is not about him, it is about the American people, Obama said. "They understand that we have arrived at a moment of great challenge for our nation, a time of peril, but also extraordinary promise."
He referred to the fact that hundreds and thousands of people are participating in innumerable ways across cities and small towns and suburbs in the US, demonstrating readiness to answer history's call and to step up, and give back, and take responsibility for serving the common purpose of remaking the nation.
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