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Today, Tuesday, January 20th, Barack Obama will be inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States of America. It cannot be ignored that the President-elect accomplished what Americans thought to be unattainable in their lifetime. The implications of this election has had a resounding effect not only on our nation, but also on people worldwide.
Obama’s inaugural address is one that, regardless of its content, many expect will go down in history because Obama will be the first African-American to give one. On this day, the world will witness history taking place–an event that students will learn about hundreds of years from now.
“If you think about the journey that this country has made, then it can’t help but stir your heart,” Obama told CNN’s John King during an interview last Friday. “The notion that I now will be standing there and sworn in as the 44th President, I think is something that hopefully our children take for granted. But our grandparents, I think, are still stunned by it, and it’s a remarkable moment.”
From the moment he takes oath, Obama will face the challenge of one of the most important jobs in the world. He will be expected to guide this nation to better economic stability, to greater focus on environmental issues, and to peace — daunting tasks.
But in his symbolic train ride to Washington, D.C., retracing the route Lincoln once took, in his presence on the Capitol steps and in his swearing in, he will already have accomplished what some believed to be an insurmountable challenge. The world’s eyes will be upon that swearing in on the Capitol steps. We will all be able to say we remember where we were at this historic moment.
Mimz • Feb 5, 2009 at 9:57 AM
just throwing this out there..:
if he wasn’t african american, i highly doubt that WHS would have made such a big deal about his inaguration. we all got pulled out of class, which was nice, but i still think that if, for example, McCain had won (i support obama), we wouldn’t have put so much focus on the ceremony.
ya • Feb 3, 2009 at 11:47 AM
people have been judging him off the color of his skin instead of the content of his character way too often. after all isn’t that what reverend dr. martin luther king was agains?
Caleb • Jan 20, 2009 at 5:43 PM
Nice article gangsta — you accurately summed up the events that transpired. This is really a big step in America!
Dave Ryan • Jan 20, 2009 at 4:53 PM
I’ve been watching some of the parade going down Pennsylvania Avenue right now, and people are absolutely ecstatic. There are thousands people screaming at the top of their lungs, and hugging random strangers. I think it’s really great to see so many people so excited about President Obama, and so hopeful. I think that we haven’t had much to celebrate as a country these past few months (or even years), and that Obama has already done something good: he’s given people all around the world hope.
to much hype • Jan 20, 2009 at 8:48 AM
So much hype over a man who has yet to prove himself.
??? • Jan 20, 2009 at 6:55 AM
Well I really don’t understand why this is so historic…. I mean I understand that he’s African-American and everything, but is it really that historic just because of his ethnicity? I guess I can’t understand it at an amazing level (like over 9000 levels or something) because I am not African American, but I still don’t see how this is that historic, I mean it’s just another guy being put into the President’s office…. Should I be amazed at this, or what?
What part should surprise me, the part about him being a different race from the 43 other President’s we’ve had, or the fact that he’s young, or what? I’m sorry but I’m scratching my head at why it’s historic.
anonomous • Dec 1, 2009 at 10:12 PM
I agree. If the point is that we don’t care about race anymore, why do we celebrate a president because he’s black.
It’s a lot like telling people about your modesty. It just doesn’t work. If we really thought of race the same way as hair or eye color, there would be no mention of it. It shouldn’t seem abnormal or celebration worthy.
Did we celebrate the first president with black hair? Of course not. That’s how skin color should be and that’s how it never will be if we intentionally point it out.