President Barack Obama and his deputy, Joe Biden, took the public oath of office in Washington yesterday, January 21, 2013.
Hundreds of thousands of people converged on Capitol Hill in Washington yesterday, January 21, 2013 for the public swearing-in of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden for a second term in office. CBC reported that the event followed private ceremonies at the White House a day earlier during which the two men were sworn-in according to US Constitutional requirements.
The 57th Presidential Inauguration that had as theme, “Faith in America’s Future,” to mark the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, also coincided - for the second time in America’s history - with the celebration of Martin Luther King holiday. President Obama was sworn-in using the Bibles of two men he admires most - Dr. Martin Luther King Junior and President Abraham Lincoln.
In his inaugural address, America’s first-ever black President spelt out what he plans to accomplish in his second and last four-year term such as managing the huge national debt and budget deficit, need for change in gun laws to stem the growing incidence of gun violence, immigration and energy. The public swearing-in event was later followed by the Presidential Luncheon and the Inaugural Parade where the Grace Baptist Church, Germantown’s Boy Scout Troop No. 358 took part.
According to former Pennsylvania Governor, Ed Rendell, the fact that America’s first African- American President was sworn-in on Martin Luther King Day was a great thing and a time to celebrate the country’s progress towards Dr. King’s dream of inclusion. Unlike in 2009 when nearly two million people crammed into Washington to witness President Obama's first inauguration, only about 800,000 people attended yesterday’s event, the BBC reported.
The presidential inauguration also featured music from Beyonce, parades, black-tie balls and tight security. Prior to yesterday’s ceremony, thousands of workers and volunteers had worked hard to finish arrangements, with white tents, trailers and generators set up along the Washington Mall parade route. Nearby buildings were also adorned with red, white and blue buntings.
