by Dennis Copson

Created on: January 20, 2009

Barack Obama Sworn In as the 44th President of the United States

On January 20th, 2009, it dawned cold but sunny in our nation's capital. It was a new day, a day of hope for millions attending the ceremony in Washington, DC and for those watching around the country and, indeed, the world.

It was a day of history as the first African - American in our country's 234 years of being raised his right hand, placed his left hand on the exact bible Abe Lincoln had used 148 years before, and was sworn in as President.

As is customary and in accordance with Article II, Section I of the Constitution of the United States with each new President, Barack Obama stood at the podium accompanied by his wife, Michele, and daughters Malia and Sasha, at the base of the Capital steps to recite this oath: "I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear 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. So help me God!" This was done at precisely 1205 hours, administered by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, The Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr. At the completion of the oath, the nation had a new President, the 44th in our history.

Barack Obama, a young 45 year old, declared his candidacy on a cold day in February 2007 in the town square of the small village of Springfield, Illinois. He stated on that day "It was here, in Springfield, where North, South, East and West come together that I was reminded of the essential decency of the American people - where I came to believe that through this decency, we can build a more hopeful America And that is why, in the shadow of the Old State Capitol, where Lincoln once called on a divided house to stand together, where common hopes and common dreams still live, I stand before you today to announce my candidacy for president of the United States of America"

It has been a long and improbable journey to this day. Hillary Rodham Clinton was running for President. She was essentially ordained to win the nomination and there was little hope for a black man from Chicago to beat her. It was assumed it was only a dry run for him by most all pundits. How could a young upstart a black upstart at that - with little experience at the national level defeat the daunting and powerful Clinton Machine'? An impossible quest' was the estimation of most who knew politics and national elections.

However, fate and a troubled populace led to his eventual

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