Stories and Lifestyle: High noon in the White House: Barack Obama’s inauguration

Stories and Lifestyle: High noon in the White House: Barack Obama’s inauguration

Today at 12 noon EST it will finally happen: Barack Obama will take the oath of office and become the 44^th president of the United States of America. Millions of people are expected to attend the inauguration ceremony in Washington DC. Based on a text from Amerika Dienst we give you an overview of all the steps along the way until Obama will finally be the new President of the United States.

Over the past 220 years, many elements have been added to the inauguration ceremony, but the central inauguration part for the president-elect, the oath of office, has essentially remained the same.

He takes the oath of office at the west front of the US Capitol facing the National Mall – the way it has been since Thomas Jefferson’s inauguration in 1801. The first time the Chief Justice administered the oath of office was 1797, at the inauguration of John Adams.

Obama’s family, former and future cabinet members, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, Supreme Court Justices, and many invited guests will participate in the inauguration ceremony.

Before Obama takes his oath of office, Joe Biden will take his vice-presidential oath. The oath will be administered by John Paul Stevens, Supreme Court Justice. The vice-presidential oath only became part of the inauguration ceremony in 1937, the beginning of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s second term. Before that, the vice president took his oath during a ceremony in the Senate, since the constitution makes him President of the Senate.

Today, Obama will stand in front of a Justice – in this case Chief Justice John Roberts – and take the 35-word long oath as specified in Article II, Section I in the United States Constitution:

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

For the oath, Obama will place his hand on the same bible Lincoln used during his first inauguration in 1861. It is traditional to use a bible for the inauguration, even though not required by the constitution.

The 20^th Amendment of 1933 states that the president shall take his oath on 12 noon at January 20. During the early years of the nation, when traveling in winter was difficult, the inauguration took place in March.

Same as during former inauguration ceremonies dating back to George Washington the president, after taking the oath, will give his inaugural address, in which he will outline the four years of his presidency.

After the inauguration ceremony at the Capitol and the new president’s inaugural address, former president Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush will leave Washington DC as regular citizens.

The new president and vice president will join the traditional parade from the Capitol to the White House, a route of 2.7 kilometers (1.6 miles) down Pennsylvania Avenue.

There will be several formal inauguration ball in the evening – the Obamas will participate in some of them. The first Lady’s dress typically is a cause for great excitement in the world of fashion. It will later be added to the inaugural dresses collection at the Smithsonian.

The last inaugural event is a national prayer service in the morning of January 21 in the Washington National Cathedral. After that, the new government will set to work.