Monday, January 21, 2013

57th Presidential Inauguration

Today is one of the best days of the new year for many Americans. Not only are we celebrating the life and legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr, we are celebrating President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden's start of their second term at the 57th Presidential Inauguration in front of the nations' Capitol in Washington, DC.

Obama was sworn in by Chief Justice John G. Roberts on two Bibles: one from President Lincoln and the other from the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. President Obama gave another heart-warming inaugural address. Four years ago, President Obama delievered a speech about "change" and on this present day, he spoke on "moving forward" together as a nation. In this speech, Obama made an very significance connection between the past and present, focusing on this generation, justice and equality for all, and women's right. Below is a excerpt from his speech.


"We recall that what binds this nation together is not the colors of our skin or the tenets of our faith or the origins of our names. What makes us exceptional — what makes us American — is our allegiance to an idea, articulated in a declaration made more than two centuries ago"

"It is now our generation's task to carry on what those pioneers began. For our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers, and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts. Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law — for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well. Our journey is not complete until no citizen is forced to wait for hours to exercise the right to vote. Our journey is not complete until we find a better way to welcome the striving, hopeful immigrants who still see America as a land of opportunity; until bright young students and engineers are enlisted in our workforce rather than expelled from our country. Our journey is not complete until all our children, from the streets of Detroit to the hills of Appalachia to the quiet lanes of Newtown, know that they are cared for, and cherished, and always safe from harm."

Below is President Obama's Inauguration Speech



Highlights of the 57th Presidential Inauguration were the invocation prayer from Myrlie Evers-Williams, singer Kelly Clarkston's performance of "Our Country, Tis of Thee", the poem Richard Blanco delievered and the closing of the inauguration with songtress Beyonce Knowles singing the "National Athem".

Hundreds of thousands of people traveled from all over the United States to witness this great historical moment with their families and friends.

The next four years hold an incredible promise for the citizens of the United States, and President Obama is committed to work hard with everyone to help move this country forward as one.

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