Obama becomes 44th US President

The inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States took place on January 20, 2009. The inauguration, which set a record attendance for any event held in Washington, D.C., marked the commencement of the four-year term of Barack Obama as President and Joseph Biden as Vice President. Based on combined attendance numbers, television viewership and Internet traffic, it was among the most observed events ever by the global audience.

Remembers Lincoln

In his speeches to the crowds, Obama referred to ideals expressed by Lincoln about renewal, continuity and national unity as he stressed the need for shared sacrifice and a new sense of responsibility to answer America's challenges at home and abroad. Obama and others paid homage to Lincoln in the form of tributes and references during several of the events, starting with a commemorative train tour from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Washington, D.C. on January 17, 2009. The presidential oath as administered to Obama during his swearing-in ceremony on January 20 strayed from the oath of office prescribed in the United States Constitution, which led to its re-administration the next evening.