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Barack Obama to open new US era Crowds await historic Obama oath
(about 1 hour later)
Millions of people are gathering in the US capital to see Barack Obama sworn in as America's 44th president - and its first African-American leader.Millions of people are gathering in the US capital to see Barack Obama sworn in as America's 44th president - and its first African-American leader.
Huge crowds are expected to pack Washington's National Mall as Mr Obama takes the oath of office at exactly 1200 (1700 GMT). As dawn broke, crowds were packing into Washington's National Mall to witness Mr Obama take the oath of office at exactly 1200 (1700 GMT).
Unprecedented security is in place, with 40,000 security personnel either on duty or stand-by in the city.Unprecedented security is in place, with 40,000 security personnel either on duty or stand-by in the city.
Across the US, there is a sense of history being made, correspondents say.Across the US, there is a sense of history being made, correspondents say.
The roar of approval that will greet Barack Obama when he takes the oath of office will be genuine, heartfelt and will come from all corners of America, BBC North America editor Justin Webb says. See map showing key sites of Inauguration DayThe roar of approval that will greet Barack Obama when he takes the oath of office will be genuine, heartfelt and will come from all corners of America, BBC North America editor Justin Webb says. 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. Mr Obama must also handle wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.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 the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Lincoln BibleLincoln Bible
Anticipation has been building across the US ahead of the ceremony, held on the steps of the US Capitol, where Congress sits. Webb: Iconography of ObamaA New Media inauguration?Anticipation has been building across the US ahead of the ceremony, held on the steps of the US Capitol, where Congress sits. Webb: Iconography of ObamaA New Media inauguration?
Hundreds of thousands of visitors have been arriving in Washington in recent days - roads and subways are said to have been packed. Competition for tickets along the parade route has been fierce. Hundreds of thousands of visitors have been arriving in Washington in recent days. Competition for tickets along the parade route has been fierce.
Inauguration Day will begin early for Mr Obama and his wife, Michelle. Together with Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his family, they will attend a church service at St John's Episcopal Church.Inauguration Day will begin early for Mr Obama and his wife, Michelle. Together with Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his family, they will attend a church service at St John's Episcopal Church.
This will be followed by coffee at the White House with outgoing President George W Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney.This will be followed by coffee at the White House with outgoing President George W Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney.
The group will then travel to the US Capitol along a packed route. There Mr Biden will be sworn in, followed by Mr Obama. INAUGURATION DAY 1455 GMT (0955 EST): President Bush welcomes Barack Obama to the White House for coffee1630 GMT (1130 EST): Obama and Vice-President-elect Joe Biden arrive at the Capitol for the official inaugural ceremony; Biden is sworn in1700 GMT (1200 EST): Obama takes the oath of office, delivers the inaugural address1740 GMT (1240 EST): Obama escorts Bush and former VP Dick Cheney to a departure ceremony class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/obama_inauguration/7838095.stm">Guide to US inauguration day class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7837279.stm">UK events mark inauguration The group will then travel to the US Capitol along a packed route. There 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". I think it's history on its way, we just want to be there celebrating Mary Lloyd, spectator in the Mall class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/obama_inauguration/7838095.stm">Guide to US inauguration day class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7837279.stm">UK events mark inauguration
He will then deliver his inaugural address - a 20-minute speech which, aides say, will focus on dual themes of responsibility and accountability.He will then deliver his inaugural address - a 20-minute speech which, aides say, will focus on dual themes of responsibility and accountability.
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, many 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.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.
"We woke up at 0300 but it's worth it," one visitor, Mary Lloyd, told the AFP news agency. "I think it's history on its way. We just want to be there celebrating."
'Hardships''Hardships'
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 will be on the streets. US ECONOMY 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
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.
As if to emphasise the historic significance of the occasion, the eve of Mr Obama's inauguration coincided with the annual public holiday in memory of black civil rights leader Martin Luther King.As if to emphasise the historic significance of the occasion, the eve of Mr Obama's inauguration coincided with the annual public holiday in memory of black civil rights leader Martin Luther King.
As he helped decorate a community project in Washington in memory of Dr King, who was assassinated in 1968, Mr Obama called on Americans to work together amid the economic downturn.As he helped decorate a community project in Washington in memory of Dr King, who was assassinated in 1968, Mr Obama called on Americans to work together amid the economic downturn.
"Given the crisis that we're in and the hardships that so many people are going through, we can't allow any idle hands," he said."Given the crisis that we're in and the hardships that so many people are going through, we can't allow any idle hands," he said.
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. 1630GMT/1130EST Obama arrives at the West Front Lawn of the Capitol for inauguration ceremony 2. 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. 1630GMT/1130EST Obama arrives at the West Front Lawn of the Capitol for inauguration ceremony 2. 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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Are you in Washington for the inauguration? Will you be watching the event elsewhere? Have you travelled to see the swearing-in of Barack Obama? Tell us about how you see the inauguration by filling in the form below.Are you in Washington for the inauguration? Will you be watching the event elsewhere? Have you travelled to see the swearing-in of Barack Obama? Tell us about how you see the inauguration by filling in the form below.
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