State of the Union address: Obama hails new milestone for US by declaring 'shadow of crisis has passed'

Urging Americans to "turn the page" during his sixth State of the Union address, United States President Barack Obama declared that "the shadow of crisis" has passed and the nation is now ready to move away from the wars and recession of the last 15 years.

While addressing a Congress in which both chambers are controlled by Republicans for the first time, Obama hailed the nation's economic "breakthroughs" in the aftermath of the recession and made middle class tax cuts "a centerpiece" in his annual address to the nation, reported CBS News.

"The verdict is clear," he said and added, "middle class economics works, expanding opportunities works. And these policies will continue to work, as long as politics don't get in the way."

He stressed on the need to focus on the middle class by focusing on policies like expanding tax credits for families, lowering mortgage premiums and increasing access to paid sick leave.

Obama asked the nation if they were willing to accept an economy where "only a few of us do spectacularly well" or one "that generates rising incomes and chances for everyone who makes the effort?" He responded by saying that the country would do best if everyone got a "fair shot," did their "fair share" and played by the same rules.

He added that this meant implementing policies that would help Americans to afford childcare, college, health care, a home and retirement and would lower their taxes so they can keep more money in their pockets.