I Witnessed History

On a frigid January morning in Washington, I stood on the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue to  watch history in the making – the inauguration of America’s 44th President and the first African American President.

I wasn’t alone. Nearly 2 million people also came to watch this historic moment. President-elect Barack Obama’s motorcade drove right past me toward the Capitol at 10:30 a.m. and the crowds went wild with excitement! For the first time ever, the National Mall, which is the long stretch of  land that lies between the Capitol Building and the Lincoln Memorial, was open to all who wanted to attend the swearing-in ceremony. It was filled with people as far as the eye could see.

The festivities began at 10 a.m. on the West Front of the Capitol Building. The United States Marine Band performed first, followed by the beautiful voices of the San Francisco Boys and Girls Choruses. Senator Dianne Feinstein welcomed the dignitaries and the enormous crowd. An invocation was given by Dr. Rick Warren, followed by Aretha Franklin who sang “God Bless America.” Vice- President-elect Joe Biden was sworn into office by the Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, the Honorable John Paul Stevens. An original musical piece, which was written in honor of the day’s historic inauguration, was performed by violinist, Itzhak Perlman, cellist Yo Yo Ma, pianist Gabriela Montero, and clarinetist Anthony McGill.

At exactly Noon, the Supreme Court Justice the Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr. gave the oath of office to Obama. With wife, Michelle, by his side, Obama proudly took the oath of office.  President Obama used President Abraham Lincoln’s Inauguration Bible when he took the oath. At the moment Mr. Obama said the words “so help me God,” the crowd burst into an earth shattering cheer as huge canons discharged to celebrate the moment in a 21-gun salute!

Then President Obama gave his inaugural speech, which focused on rebuilding America’s economy amid the two wars that we are fighting in Iraq and in Afghanistan. He touched upon energy, health care, education, and a new era of peace.

As the crowd of 2 million began to disperse, the newly elected President and Vice President and many dignitaries were invited to a luncheon inside the Capitol Building. Then finally at 3:30 p.m., the 56th Inaugural Parade began and made its way down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol Building to the White House.

I stood at the perfect spot along the parade route and watched as President Barak Obama and his family drove slowly in the Presidential Limousine. Long after the limo passed by where I was standing, Mr. and Mrs. Obama stepped out of the limo and walked part of the way to wave to the crowds that lined the road to the White House. When it got too cold for the President and the First Lady, they returned to the warmth of their limo.

They were followed by Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill.  Almost 15,000 people marched in the parade, including members of all six branches of the US military. I saw high school marching bands from Hawaii and Illinois (states where Mr. Obama lived) and many college marching bands from all over the country. There were also dozens of floats that participated in the parade. Later that evening, Mr. and Mrs. Obama attended 10 official Presidential Inaugural Galas.

This was my first opportunity to witness a presidential inauguration. As I stood in the cold listening to Mr. Obama’s speech, I realized that I am very proud to be an American. Years before, another proud American, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., stood not far away from where I stood. On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Dr. King gave a speech about having a dream. Today, a big part of his dream was fulfilled.