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In D.C., many people anxiously started the day, greeted by cold weather and huge crowds with only the tops of people’s heads visible for what seemed like miles and miles ahead. As early as 3 a.m., I could see people begin to walk up toward the National Mall to line up for their place in line to witness history in the making. Shoulder to shoulder, leaving no room to even stretch one’s arms, people danced—or at least appeared to be dancing as they jittered and moved their legs and feet in an attempt to keep warm.
In the days leading up to this 56th inauguration, bars were opened after hours in Washington, D.C., thanks to special legislation just passed in December. Alcohol was served until 4 a.m. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, chair of the Inauguration Committee, was concerned—and some others shared her concern—about a possible strain on local police because of the lengthened hours, which were originally planned for 5 a.m. for bars, and 24 hours for food establishments. Nightclubs stayed open late, filled to maximum capacity. The metro opened up on Inauguration Day to thousands of people, with many parking lots at metro stations filled to maximum capacity. Yet there was no shoving or disorderly conduct. There were surprisingly no arrests related to any of the inauguration events.
From the crowd, I could hear and feel the excitement and anticipation building. Many attendees wore patriotic attire, mostly purchased from the various vendors lining every street and outside every DC MetroRail train station, selling everything Obama. There were Obama belts, Obama buttons, Obama hats, Obama hoodies—whatever you could think of to put the likeness of Obama on, you could buy it right there. Snipers could be seen on the surrounding rooftops.
People conversed with total strangers next to them, from all corners of not just the U.S., but also all over the world. Nobody seemed to be able to recall a time in which so many people united for one common cause, or to witness one single event together—and not as people of different races, but rather as a beautiful diverse picture of what being the “United States of America” truly means. This was a celebration and time of thanks and awe and empowerment that many had waited generations to see.
The crowds quickly grew quiet when the ceremonies began. People marched in place as the bands began to play. When president No. 43, George W. Bush, appeared on the various screens all over the National Mall, thousands, if not millions of “boos” erupted in unison throughout the crowd. When Obama’s face appeared, a sound of rejoicing, happiness, and pride filled the air. The jubilation was at least twice as loud as the condemnation.
When Pastor Rick Warren stepped forward to ask everyone to join together in prayer, a couple more isolated boos began—then someone in the crowd said, “Let him speak now.” At that moment everyone grew quiet again, looking past differences, as the crowd joined together in prayer.
The swearing-in of Vice President Joseph Biden, Jr. by U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens seemed to be just a build-up to the joy that filled the area when, minutes later, President Barack Obama took his oath from U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Roberts, Jr. The crowd went wild with screams and cheers of hope and enthusiasm. The speech we had waited for months to hear was about to begin. Everyone gave complete silence to the president as he delivered his inaugural address.