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Entry bubble I AM . . .

By: Editor | January 22, 2009 | Category: Fun

This essay marks the final text installment in our inauguration coverage. For a compilation of photos and videos, check out our Flickr photostream and YouTube account. Thank you for your comments and participation. We hope you enjoyed following our coverage as much as we enjoyed bringing it to you.


I am a proud witness of history. My husband and I attended the inauguration of our 44th president on Tuesday. It was an experience I will long remember for its cold weather, its beautiful music, its simplicity, and its monumental import.

Metro station platform at 6:30 a.m.I am lucky. We arose early Tuesday morning and caught the Metro before the crowds got too bad. We had a seat all the way in to town. We had tickets for the silver section, and although we stood in a line at least five blocks long, we only had to wait about 30 minutes before they opened the security gate. We passed through in mere minutes and eventually worked our way up to the Reflecting Pool just west of the Capitol. We stood right next to a woman from Las Vegas who’d waited since 4:30 a.m. to get in.

I am delighted that America takes its national celebrations as opportunities to revel in the arts. I will long remember the music I heard. A children’s choir singing of hope for the future, peace in our time, America the beautiful. A military band playing an 18th century Army marching song arranged by a 20th century American composer, Sousa’s marches, an achingly beautiful arrangement of “Amazing Grace”—iconic, American pieces all. The audience listening with rapt attention to the haunting strains of John Williams’ piece, “Air and Simple Gifts,” especially composed for the occasion.

crowd at the inaugurationI am in awe. On Tuesday, a simple ceremony shifted the leadership of our nation from one man to another in just 35 words. And as the oath of office was taken, a new era began. I wish I had been alive when Dr. King and the Freedom Riders and the Civil Rights workers fought for the freedoms of everyone so I could fully realize what it means for America and the world that we have an African-American president. I wish I personally knew the sense of triumph that swelled to cheers of “O-ba-ma” from so many African-Americans in the crowd with me on Tuesday.

I am hopeful. President Obama’s inaugural address was filled with soaring words of a new vision for America mixed with a sense of history’s weight and the challenge of working to make that new vision a reality. We humans are reluctant and slow to change, even if we know the change is good for us. I hope that the buoyant spirits which brought millions to brave a cold January morning, to wait in long lines with good will, to travel far distances in poor economic times, will convert into the energy and determination to do the hard work of making America a better place than it was on January 20th when history was made.

dawn over the Capitol on Jan. 21 

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Entry bubble The Swearing-In of our 44th President

By: Jake | January 21, 2009 | Category: General

President Barack ObamaMy colleague Jacqueline Snee went to the National Mall on Tuesday. I'll let her tell you the rest:

I am sure people at the swearing-in ceremony either took the day off or were given it off. Being a federal employee whose place of employment is located in D.C., it was nice to be the latter of the two. Since I am new to the area—2 ½ months here to be exact—and this was said to be one of the most exciting things to happen in American history, I thought it would be neat to experience. Was I prepared to watch it up close and personal with 1.8 million people? Not really!

It all started with the Metro ride. Getting on the train close to the start of the metro line gave me no indication of what was to come. Two stops closer to downtown I was pushed up against a window and realized that the amount of people attending this event was going to be astronomical. I got off at L’Enfant Plaza and to my astonishment we could barely get off of the train. People with signs chanting "Obama" got the crowd excited and the time seemed to pass quickly as we were herded out of the metro station and onto the street. Helpful volunteers with signs made sure the group was headed in the right direction. There were parked buses everywhere, barricades everywhere, and police everywhere with no moving cars in sight. Jumping over a couple barricades and walking what only seemed a couple blocks I was able to get through security swiftly and I ended up between the Washington Monument and the White House. There I was able to watch the festivities from the Gravitron.

At about the 4 hour mark, about an hour before the Swearing-In of our 44th President people were starting to waver. Everyone was trying to keep their feet and hands warm. I overheard a young teenager telling her parents she was completely frozen. A guy walked over to our group and asked us if we wanted an American flag. People gave him little notice. I said sure! It just took me to take the bait to get everyone else to want a flag! For a brief moment we had forgotten about our frozen fingers and stiff limbs and were waving our flags high in the air. You might say we were practicing.

The buildup of energy right before the president–elect accepted the presidency was undeniable. With the American flags reminding us why we were there, the people who had taken a seat on the lawn were now standing and trying to get a glimpse of the Gravitron. They too wanted to see history being made. We all had our flags poised. As I got my camera out I was glad that I was on the National Mall to witness such a diverse crowd welcome a man who brought hope to many people. The video I took captures what it was like.

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Entry bubble Inauguration Day

By: Joanne | January 20, 2009 | Category: General

Jill Biden, Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Michelle ObamaToday, Barack Obama and Joe Biden will be sworn-in as President and Vice President of the United States. You can watch the Swearing-In ceremony live online beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern.

In the evening, there will be the first-ever Neighborhood Ball, a nationwide celebration -- and you don't have to be in the nation's capital to join in the festivities.

ABC will broadcast the Washington, D.C. Neighborhood Ball beginning at 8:00 p.m. EST, and people at Neighborhood Balls across the country will be sending in photos and videos of their celebrations. Some may even be featured in the official Inaugural book.

You are encouraged to share your own photos and stories.

You can also text OBAMA to 56333 for instructions on how to send in messages and pictures from your mobile phone.

I think it's going to be an interesting day!  What are your plans?

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Entry bubble Let's Party

By: Editor | January 19, 2009 | Category: Fun

If yesterday was a day to come together in music and song to celebrate our common heritage and common future, Monday evening has been the time to party! We have members of the USA.gov and GobiernoUSA.gov team at a variety of events this evening, and everyone has been treated to beautiful dresses, high excitement, and many famous people. They've also had the opportunity to celebrate with so many different people.

Velmarie attended the "Kids' Inaugural: We are the Future" concert. Big-name performers like Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers, and Demi Lovato sang for military families. Kids got to go up on stage to dance before the concert officially began. And they got to hear about their role in the historic events of the last couple days. Jamie Foxx told the audience, "You are here because you are the future." Michelle Obama declared, "You are the future of this great nation." And George Lopez joked, "If you think we're making history, just wait until you see the first Latino president!"

Laura went to the 2009 Latino Inaugural Celebration, not only as an attendee, but also as a performer. She sings with a vocal group called Coral Cantigas here in the Washington, D.C. area, and she was lucky enough to be among the chorus' members who sang this evening. The mood was festive from the moment she walked into the grand hall at the Organization of American States, across the street from the grounds of the White House. When the National Anthem was sung, people cheered for over a minute! Performers and presenters alike shared how the nation is changing, as Hispanics make a greater impact (in this election, 10 million Latinos voted). 

The parties will go on well into the night, so check back tomorrow for pictures, perhaps some video, and thoughts from our team members who experienced it all themselves. 

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Entry bubble We are One: Opening Celebration

By: Editor | January 18, 2009 | Category: Fun

The festivities in Washington have officially begun!

view from the Lincoln Memorial looking east

Jon and Sarah are covering the “opening ceremonies” officially called “We are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial.” After bundling up, they headed out at about 8:00 this morning. Not many people were out and about that early, although Jon did see a tow truck driver. A perimeter has been set up around the center of Washington, DC to keep vehicular traffic out and to increase security. He told Jon he’d already towed 100 cars before 8:00 and expected 1,000 by the end of the day.

At 10:00 the crowd around the Reflecting Pool, which extends east from the Lincoln Memorial, numbered in the several thousands. view along the Reflecting Pool with the Lincoln Memorial on the rightThey braved chilly temperatures in the lower 30s and gray skies for a good spot. The early risers were rewarded with a chance to watch pre-performance rehearsals from the likes of Tiger Woods, Tom Hanks, Steve Carrell, and Jamie Foxx and long lines for $3.00 cups of hot chocolate.

As the crowd grew, so did the camaraderie. People shared blankets with others they hadn’t known five minutes before. Young, old, celebrities, service members, and ordinary people sang, talked, laughed as the “Star Wars” theme and “Stand by Me” played and special songs recorded by Wilco and Lenny Kravitz played on Jumbotrons scattered throughout the grounds. Even as those old American favorites “This Little Light of Mine” and “Yankee Doodle Dandy” played, they sang along. People knew they were part of an historic event, and the electricity in the crowd made it even more so.

That’s just a taste of the festivities. We'll post more, but please visit our Twitter page to keep up with real-time impressions.

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