Obama takes oath of office

Washington (AP)

January 20, 2009 10:14 AM

Barack Obama sworn in — Barack Obama listens to Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) during his inauguration as the 44th President of the United States of America on the West Front of the Capitol January 20, 2009 in Washington, D.C. Obama becomes the first African-American to be elected to the office of President in the history of the United States.
Alex Wong/Getty Images

Barack Hussein Obama has taken the oath of office as the 44th president of the United States.

With a hand on Abraham Lincoln's inaugural bible, and before a crowd stretching across the National Mall toward where Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of his dream of racial equality, the 47-year-old Obama was sworn in as the first black American president by Chief Justice John Roberts.

Roberts told him, "Congratulations, Mr. President."

Meeting at the White House — U.S. President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush pose with President-elect Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as they at the White House in the North Portico, before Obama's inauguration as the United States' 44th president in Washington, DC.
Pool/Getty Images

Obama's wife, Michelle, and young daughters Sasha and Malia looked on. They were joined by people from around the world who gathered in huge numbers in the early morning Washington cold to see history made.

Gallery

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

Donate Today

Share

Create a More Connected Minnesota