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Obama arrives for historic oath Historic Obama ceremony begins
(30 minutes later)
Barack Obama has arrived at the US Capitol to be sworn in as America's 44th president - and the country's first African-American leader.Barack Obama has arrived at the US Capitol to be sworn in as America's 44th president - and the country's first African-American leader.
Millions of people gathered in the National Mall from dawn in a wintry Washington DC, to see Mr Obama take the oath of office at 1200 (1700 GMT).Millions of people gathered in the National Mall from dawn in a wintry Washington DC, to see Mr Obama take the oath of office at 1200 (1700 GMT).
Unprecedented security is in place, with 40,000 security personnel either on duty or stand-by in the city. Huge crowds cheered and waved as Mr Obama and Vice-President-elect Joe Biden were introduced.
Across the US, there is a sense of history being made, correspondents say. Unprecedented security is in place, with 40,000 on duty or stand-by.
Across the US there is a sense of history being made, correspondents say.
Anticipation has been building across the US ahead of the ceremony, held on the steps of the US Capitol, where Congress sits. See map showing key sites of Inauguration DayAnticipation has been building across the US ahead of the ceremony, held on the steps of the US Capitol, where Congress sits. See map showing key sites of Inauguration Day
But the new president faces serious challenges. America is gripped by uncertainty as the economy faces its worst crisis in decades.But the new president faces serious challenges. America is gripped by uncertainty as the economy faces its worst crisis in decades.
Mr Obama must also handle wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and seek to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.Mr Obama must also handle wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and seek to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In Washington, homeland security officials said they were monitoring a "potential threat" of "uncertain credibility" on inauguration day.In Washington, homeland security officials said they were monitoring a "potential threat" of "uncertain credibility" on inauguration day.
Church visitChurch visit
Hundreds of thousands of visitors arrived in Washington in the days before the inauguration, and vast numbers braved early-morning cold to secure a vantage point for the midday ceremony. Dr King said it might take 40 years. It's been 45 years, I can wait another hour Ronald BrisbonWashington resident Guide to US inauguration dayIn pictures: Obama inauguration UK events mark inaugurationHundreds of thousands of visitors arrived in Washington in the days before the inauguration, and vast numbers braved early-morning cold to secure a vantage point for the midday ceremony. Dr King said it might take 40 years. It's been 45 years, I can wait another hour Ronald BrisbonWashington resident Guide to US inauguration dayIn pictures: Obama inauguration UK events mark inauguration
Competition for tickets along the parade route has been fierce, as has the scrum for standing room in the National Mall.Competition for tickets along the parade route has been fierce, as has the scrum for standing room in the National Mall.
Officials in Washington reported record numbers of passengers on the city's subway network early on Tuesday, and police were forced to close a key entry point hours before event began because of overcrowding.Officials in Washington reported record numbers of passengers on the city's subway network early on Tuesday, and police were forced to close a key entry point hours before event began because of overcrowding.
Before 0900 local time (1400 GMT), Michelle and Barack Obama couple travelled in a heavily-armoured motorcade for a private church service at St John's Episcopal Church alongside Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his family.Before 0900 local time (1400 GMT), Michelle and Barack Obama couple travelled in a heavily-armoured motorcade for a private church service at St John's Episcopal Church alongside Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his family.
The motorcade then headed to the White House, where Mr Obama and Mr Biden took coffee with outgoing President George W Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney.The motorcade then headed to the White House, where Mr Obama and Mr Biden took coffee with outgoing President George W Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney.
The group - including Mr Cheney in a wheelchair after pulling a back muscle - then left for the US Capitol, where VIPs awaited their arrival for the inaugural ceremony.The group - including Mr Cheney in a wheelchair after pulling a back muscle - then left for the US Capitol, where VIPs awaited their arrival for the inaugural ceremony.
There, from 1130 local time (1630 GMT), Mr Biden will be sworn in, followed by Mr Obama.There, from 1130 local time (1630 GMT), Mr Biden will be sworn in, followed by Mr Obama.
America's first black president will place his hand on a Bible used by Abraham Lincoln at his inauguration in 1861 and repeat the oath of office, promising to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States".America's first black president will place his hand on a Bible used by Abraham Lincoln at his inauguration in 1861 and repeat the oath of office, promising to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States".
He will then deliver his inaugural address - a 20-minute speech which, aides say, will focus on dual themes of responsibility and accountability. US BLACK HISTORY MILESTONES 1861 - Civil war starts1865 - Civil war ends, leading to abolition of slavery1870 - Hiram Revels is first African-American senator. African-American men gain the vote, but face resistance and intimidation1954 - Civil disobedience campaign starts1963 - Martin Luther King: "I have a dream" speech1964 - Civil Rights Act1965 - Right to vote guaranteed Webb: Iconography of ObamaA New Media inauguration?He will then deliver his inaugural address - a 20-minute speech which, aides say, will focus on dual themes of responsibility and accountability. US BLACK HISTORY MILESTONES 1861 - Civil war starts1865 - Civil war ends, leading to abolition of slavery1870 - Hiram Revels is first African-American senator. African-American men gain the vote, but face resistance and intimidation1954 - Civil disobedience campaign starts1963 - Martin Luther King: "I have a dream" speech1964 - Civil Rights Act1965 - Right to vote guaranteed Webb: Iconography of ObamaA New Media inauguration?
Crowds in the National Mall will watch proceedings on huge video screens. At least two million people are expected, a record number for an inauguration event.Crowds in the National Mall will watch proceedings on huge video screens. At least two million people are expected, a record number for an inauguration event.
They will be braving unusually cold weather, with temperatures of -1C expected. Wind chill would make it feel several degrees colder, forecasters said, urging people to guard against possible hypothermia and frostbite.They will be braving unusually cold weather, with temperatures of -1C expected. Wind chill would make it feel several degrees colder, forecasters said, urging people to guard against possible hypothermia and frostbite.
Early on Tuesday, tens of thousands defied the pre-dawn cold to secure a good spot in the Mall when it opened at 0400 (0900 GMT) to those without tickets.Early on Tuesday, tens of thousands defied the pre-dawn cold to secure a good spot in the Mall when it opened at 0400 (0900 GMT) to those without tickets.
There was a huge sense of excitement, a BBC reporter at the scene said, with people breaking out in cheers. The subway was as busy at 0500 as it would normally be at rush hour, but most seemed happy to battle through the crowds.There was a huge sense of excitement, a BBC reporter at the scene said, with people breaking out in cheers. The subway was as busy at 0500 as it would normally be at rush hour, but most seemed happy to battle through the crowds.
"I've been queuing for hours, I don't care how long I have to wait," Washington resident Ronald Brisbon, 55, told the BBC."I've been queuing for hours, I don't care how long I have to wait," Washington resident Ronald Brisbon, 55, told the BBC.
"Dr [Martin Luther] King said it might take 40 years. It's been 45 years, I can wait another hour.""Dr [Martin Luther] King said it might take 40 years. It's been 45 years, I can wait another hour."
'Hardships''Hardships'
OBAMA'S ECONOMIC CHALLENGE Unemployment rate up to 7.2% - 16-year highRetail sales fell for six months in a row in December - down 2.7%Car sales down to 22.4% below level seen a year agoNew home sales in November at lowest level in 17 years Mid-price of a new home sold in November: $220,400 (£149,900) - down 11.5% from a year agoTrade deficit dropped to $40.4bn (£28.82bn) in November - five-year low Security chiefs say they are prepared for all eventualities. Roads and bridges into Washington will be closed and thousands of police, soldiers and plainclothes agents are on the streets.OBAMA'S ECONOMIC CHALLENGE Unemployment rate up to 7.2% - 16-year highRetail sales fell for six months in a row in December - down 2.7%Car sales down to 22.4% below level seen a year agoNew home sales in November at lowest level in 17 years Mid-price of a new home sold in November: $220,400 (£149,900) - down 11.5% from a year agoTrade deficit dropped to $40.4bn (£28.82bn) in November - five-year low Security chiefs say they are prepared for all eventualities. Roads and bridges into Washington will be closed and thousands of police, soldiers and plainclothes agents are on the streets.
Snipers will be in position along the parade route, while helicopters and fighter jets will patrol the skies.Snipers will be in position along the parade route, while helicopters and fighter jets will patrol the skies.
The feeling among the crowds in Washington, correspondents say, is that the changing of the presidential guard will be far more than the sum of its ceremonial parts.The feeling among the crowds in Washington, correspondents say, is that the changing of the presidential guard will be far more than the sum of its ceremonial parts.
Follow the inauguration on the BBC News website, with live text updates from 1400 GMT (0900 ET), streaming video from 1600 GMT, full coverage from our correspondents in Washington and reaction from across the world.Follow the inauguration on the BBC News website, with live text updates from 1400 GMT (0900 ET), streaming video from 1600 GMT, full coverage from our correspondents in Washington and reaction from across the world.
There will be live coverage of the ceremony on BBC One and BBC News channel, simulcast on BBC World News and BBC America, from 1600-1800 GMT. BBC World Service will also be broadcasting the event live.There will be live coverage of the ceremony on BBC One and BBC News channel, simulcast on BBC World News and BBC America, from 1600-1800 GMT. BBC World Service will also be broadcasting the event live.
INAUGURATION DAY 1. 1700GMT/1200EST Obama is inaugurated as US president on the West Front Lawn of the Capitol building2. Obama escorts former President George W Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney on the presidential procession prior to their departure3. 1920GMT/1420EST Parade starts along Pennsylvania Avenue4. Obama will review troops from behind a bullet-proof screen in Lafayette Park, behind the White House 5. President Obama and the First Lady will attend a series of celebration balls, returning to the White House at 0725GMT/0225EST Wednesday More inauguration mapsINAUGURATION DAY 1. 1700GMT/1200EST Obama is inaugurated as US president on the West Front Lawn of the Capitol building2. Obama escorts former President George W Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney on the presidential procession prior to their departure3. 1920GMT/1420EST Parade starts along Pennsylvania Avenue4. Obama will review troops from behind a bullet-proof screen in Lafayette Park, behind the White House 5. President Obama and the First Lady will attend a series of celebration balls, returning to the White House at 0725GMT/0225EST Wednesday More inauguration maps
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