President Obama: Welcome to Office

Today, U.S. President Barack Obama took the Oath of Office to become the 44th President of the United States. With this oath, Obama became the first African-American president in U.S. history.
It’s amazing to fathom the number of times today’s date, January 20, 2009, will be repeated throughout the coming years, decades, and even centuries.

In his Inauguration speech, Obama reminds Americans to place “hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord” in a speech that brought cheers, tears, and sobs to a crowd of over one million spectators who braved subzero temperatures to be a part of history in the making.

With his fresh, super-celebrity status and his cool exterior, it is almost easy to forget that the hopes of so many millions of people all over the world rest square on his shoulders–he is, after all, in spite of all of the historic grandeur, just one human being.

Welcome to office, Mr. President! Your journey to office has been an unpredictable, inspiring journey. We wish you and your family the wisdom, strength, and support you will need in the coming weeks, months, and years!