Barack Obama Sworn In As President

On January 20th, 2009, Barack Hussein Obama was sworn in as the nation's 44th president. Obama is now our first black chief executive.

Braving the cold, Obama placed his right hand on the Bible, used by Abraham Lincoln on his inauguration, and said, "I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear that I will execute the office President of the United States faithfully."

Obama thanked George Bush, "for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition."

After that Obama addresses the challenges: "That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood," he said. "Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age."

He assures America, "that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America – they will be met."

He ends his speech with a quote from George Washington: "With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations."

Good with a new president in office maybe we can see some better changes.

Source: People.com