On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama will be inaugurated as the 44th U.S. president.
On that day, the President-elect will become the first African-American president of the United States. The swearing-in ceremony, when Obama will take the oath of office, will take place on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. The event is expected to draw a record crowd of at least a million people, and possibly even as many as 3 or 4 million.
Obama will travel to Washington by train with his family and Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his family on January 17. After taking the oath of office on the 20th, Obama will deliver his inaugural address, in which he will lay out his goals for his presidency and his vision for the nation.
Obama will face difficult challenges during his presidency, including battling the global financial crisis, handling the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and implementing his healthcare program. He has chosen a team of cabinet members to help him govern that includes both Democrats and Republicans. He has often spoken of wanting to assemble a team of advisors similar to President Lincoln’s so-called “team of rivals,” meaning that he wants a group of intelligent people who do not agree on everything. This way, Obama believes that he will be able to make correct decisions from among many different viewpoints.
Related Links
- Inauguration of the President: 2009 Events
Site from the Senate, includes information about the swearing-in ceremony and other inauguration events that will take place throughout the week.
(Source: U.S. Senate, December–January, 2009) - Obama Presidency
Page from the BBC, includes articles and video newscasts covering Obama’s approaching presidency—the issues he will face, his chosen team, and analyses of the news.
(Source: BBC, November–January, 2008) - FACTBOX: Number-crunching Obama’s Inauguration
Information regarding the inauguration, how many people are expected, and security accommodations.
(Source: Reuters, December 14, 2008) - Map of Washington, D.C.
This 3D map of Washington, D.C. centers on the U.S. Capitol, where the inauguration will take place. If the expected one million people attend, the crowd will stretch back from the Capitol to the Washington Memorial. If the possible three to four million people attend, the crowd could stretch back as far as the Lincoln Memorial.
(Source: DCPages.com, 2008)
Critical Thinking Questions
- Make Inferences Why do experts believe that President-elect Obama’s inauguration will draw the largest crowd ever to assemble in Washington, D.C.?
- Problems and Solutions Name three major problems facing the United States as Obama takes office. How does Obama plan to address them?
- Form and Support Opinions Do you think that President-elect Obama’s decision to build a “team of rivals” will help him to govern effectively? Why or why not?