January 20, 2013 marked a historic day in American history—the second inauguration of President Barack Obama. Although there was much less hype about this day than at his first inauguration in 2009, there were still high levels of excitement and anticipation. Taking place at noon in the Blue Room of the White House, the president was sworn in to his second term of office by Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. amid a small crowd consisting of his wife, two daughters, and a select few guests. Placing his left hand on a family bible and raising his right, he recited the oath that every president since George Washington has recited before him. After completing the oath, President Obama kissed his wife and hugged his daughters, uttering the words “I did it” proudly. He is the 46th president of the United States and now the 16th president ever elected to a second term.
Just hours before, Vice President Joe Biden, surrounded by his family and guests, was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor at the Naval Observatory. Personally selected by Vice President Biden, Sotomayor became the first Hispanic and the fourth female justice to administer an oath of office. Following the intimate ceremonies, the President and his Vice President visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. for the traditional laying of the wreaths. That night before, the Kid’s Inaugural Ball—hosted in honor of military families—boasted a star-studded event including performances by Usher, Katy Perry, John Legend, and rapper T-Pain.
Early Monday morning on January 21, 2013—Martin Luther King, Jr. Day—the First Family, along with the Vice President and his, attended services at St. John’s Episcopal Church and both were blessed by the bishop leading mass. Afterward, President Barack Obama headed for the Capitol Building, where he was publicly sworn in front of an estimated 800,000 people that had flooded the National Mall. He is the second president ever to be sworn in four times—twice in 2009 among legitimacy concerns after Chief Justice John Roberts flubbed the oath the first time—and twice this weekend. The first was President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
President Barack Obama made his final inaugural address before thousands of Americans, both in attendance and via television, radio, and internet. The address was a time to inspire, reassure, remind, and allude to the future actions of the president during the next four years. He began by quoting the Declaration of Independence, discussed various issues in the country, offered hope and resolutions, and then ended by thanking the country and asking for God’s blessing.
These two historic days have signaled yet another leadership transition in this country. Will the next four years reflect the last four? Will his second term be better than his last? These questions aside, there can only be confidence that President Barack Obama continues to lead, preserve, and defend the ideals of this country and do what is best for the American people.
