Barack Obama’s Inauguration

1 minute read
By TIME

The historic day arrives

On the Move

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama walk the Inauguration parade route from the U.S. Capitol to the White HouseDoug Mills / AFP / Getty

Old and New

First Lady Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama, former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush leave the InaugurationTannen Maury / AFP / Getty

Democratic Vista

President Obama waves to dignitaries on the platformVincent Laforet for TIME

Hello, Mr. President

The Commander in Chief waves to the crowd before giving his Inaugural AddressChristopher Morris / VII for TIME

Take a Vow

President Obama is sworn in on the Lincoln BibleChristopher Morris / VII for TIME

Take a Bow

Pastor Dr. Rick Warren salutes the crowd after offering a prayer for the nationChristopher Morris / VII for TIME

Meet the New Boss

The President-elect greets President George W. Bush before taking the oath of officeChristopher Morris / VII for TIME

Entrance

Obama arrives onto the daisJason Reed / Reuters

Vocals

Aretha Franklin sings "America," a.k.a. "My Country, 'Tis of Thee"Jason Reed / Reuters

Greetings

Incoming First Lady Michelle Obama, left, and Jill Biden, wife of Vice President–elect Joe Biden, arrive for the ceremonyJeff Christensen / AP

Last Day on the Job

Vice President Dick Cheney is helped onto the platform. The previous day, Cheney had injured his back moving boxesChristopher Morris / VII for TIME

Throwback

A marching band walks down Pennsylvania Avenue during the Inauguration paradeCarlos Berria / Reuters

Past and Present

Former President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State–designate Hillary Clinton, Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush arrive at the InaugurationJustin Sullivan / Getty

Salute

Incoming White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel gestures prior to the Inauguration ceremonyJim Young / Reuters

Musical Chairs

A military band performs at the Capitol during the Inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th U.S. PresidentRobyn Beck / AFP / Getty

At Attention

Members of the joint honor cordon carry weapons at port arms as they get ready for the 56th presidential Inauguration to begin at the CapitolSuzanne M. Day / U.S. Air Force / Handout / Reuters

En Masse

People gather on the National Mall for the Inauguration of Barack ObamaMario Tama / Getty

Historic Moment

Das Stoked of Providence, R.I., waves a flag on the National Mall with the image of President-elect Barack ObamaCarolyn Kaster / AP

Chopper

President George W. Bush will leave the Capitol by helicopter following the Inauguration ceremonyMike Segar / Reuters

Departure

President-elect Barack Obama and President George W. Bush leave the North Portico of the White HouseLarry Downing / Reuters

All-Star Gathering

Former basketballer Magic Johnson, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson stand on the inaugural stage ahead of the Inauguration of Barack ObamaChip Somodevilla / Getty

Maverick

Former Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain arrives at the InaugurationRick Wilking / Reuters

Packed In Tight

Crowds of spectators line up to catch a glimpse of the new PresidentJim Young / Reuters

Veeps

Vice President Dick Cheney arrives in a wheelchair before his successor, Joe Biden, at the White HouseMandel Ngan / AFP / Getty

View

Photographers crowd a camera stand as people fill the National Mall before the InaugurationSusan Walsh / AP

En Route

The presidential motorcade drives down Pennsylvania Avenue toward the CapitolJustin Sullivan / Getty

Transition

The Bushes and Obamas meet at the White House in the morningLarry Downing / Reuters

New Home

George and Laura Bush escort Barack and Michelle Obama through the North Portico entrance of the White HousePable Martinez Monsivais / AP

Standing Room Only

Spectators for the swearing-in ceremony seek perches on the National MallMark Wilson / Getty

Big Fan

Spectators on the Mall savor the historic momentRobert Nickelsberg / Getty

Sea of Change

Over a million people gathered on the National Mall for the InaugurationVincent Laforet for TIME

Greeting

The Obamas are greeted by the Rev. Luis Leon as they arrive at St. John's Episcopal ChurchCharles Dharapak / AP

Arrival

Barack and Michelle begin the day with a visit to St. John's Episcopal Church, across from the White HouseCharles Dharapak / AP

In the Lead

Washington police sweep down the parade route before President ObamaEmmanuel Dunand / AFP / Getty

Preparation

A U.S. Secret Service agent cleans the glass surrounding the podium where Obama will speak after he is sworn inJae C. Hong / AP

All Eyes

Journalists take their positions around the Inauguration standElise Amendola / AP

Ready to Wave

A boy scout hands out flags on the MallMatt Rourke / AP

Tribute

Soldiers in the capital for the Inauguration make a predawn visit to the Lincoln MemorialJeff Zelevansky / Getty

Squeezing Through

People gather on a balcony of the U.S. Department of the Treasury to watch the paradeWin McNamee / Getty

Greeting the Nation

President Obama and his wife Michelle wave to the crowd as they walk down Pennsylvania Avenue in the Inauguration paradeJim Young / Reuters

Down the Street

Marching bands from the United States Armed Forces pass the presidential reviewing stand at the Inauguration paradeAlex Wong / Getty

Repast

President Obama toasts with his wife Michelle at the Inaugural LuncheonYuri Gripas / Reuters

Official Duty

President Obama is applauded by members of Congress in the President's Room after signing his first act as President, a proclamation designating today a "National Day of Renewal and Reconciliation"Molly Riley / Reuters

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