A deafening roar erupted among the crowd of hundreds of thousands as President-elect Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America at the Capitol on Tuesday.
Obama, who was sworn in using the same Bible that was used in Abraham Lincoln's inauguration, greeted congressional leaders on a stage stretching across the front of the Capitol. He gave Rep. John Lewis, D-Georgia, a hug after being introduced.
Saddleback Church founder Rick Warren delivered the invocation, calling for the nation to put its differences aside, and applauding what he called "a hinge-point in history."
"We know today that [the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.] and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven," he said in his prayer.
Aretha Franlkin sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee" before Joe Biden was sworn in as vice president.
After winning the presidency on a message of hope, Obama will deliver a sober inaugural address that lays out the problems facing the country, Obama aides said.
"The speech balances a very serious and sober tone with a dose of hope and inspiration that we can get through this," said one presidential transition aide, who outlined the address on the condition of anonymity.
Hundreds of thousands of people were on the National Mall -- dancing, singing and vigorously shaking flags -- in anticipation of Tuesday's swearing-in of Obama as the nation's 44th president.
"This is America happening," said Evadey Minott of Brooklyn, New York. "It was prophesized by King that we would have a day when everyone would come together. This is that day. I am excited. I am joyful. It brings tears to my eyes."
Minott was at Lafayette Square near the White House, where Obama and his wife, Michelle, had coffee with President Bush and first lady Laura Bush before heading to Capitol Hill.
Obama arrived at the Capitol, and cheers erupted as his image appeared on large television screens lined up on the Mall.
The Obamas attended a prayer service earlier at St. John's Episcopal Church to kick off the day of events surrounding Obama's inauguration. Video
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