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"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." - Oath of Office.

The speeches and the promises have been made, and the votes have all been cast.

The president-elect is now required to recite the oath of office, worded and administered in accordance with Article II, Section I of the U.S. Constitution. This simple statement instantly transforms an otherwise normal U.S. citizen into the President of the United States.

You may hear the newly elected President append the phrase, "So help me God," to the oath, but the official version does not require it.

Inaugural Speeches

The next new president, Barack Obama will be sworn into office on January 20, 2009 followed by a hoped-for quotable Inaugural Address on how he will lead the nation for the next four years.

The address is a hallmark of all inaugurals in the grand tradition of such former U.S. presidents as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, (who is said to have first used the phrase "so help me God" during his swearing in) and John F. Kennedy, ("Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for the country.")

In the modern era, other memorable lines from inaugural speeches come from those made by Ronald Reagan ("Government is not the solution to our problem. Government is the problem.") and Bill Clinton ("There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.")

Today, the inaugural speech tops-off all that has been said during the campaign, and lays out a platform of what the world can expect from the new administration. But with the swearing-in completed and the speech made... inaugural day isn't quite over yet.

Now it's time to party.

2009 Inaugural Events, Balls, Parades & Celebrations

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18TH

• We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial, free, live broadcast on HBO -- At 2:30 p.m. EST, HBO will offer a free nationwide broadcast of the We Are One concert featuring Bono, Bruce Springsteen, John Legend and more. Check your local listings to find out where you can watch the free HBO broadcast.

MONDAY, JANUARY 19TH

• Renew America Together: National Day of Service -- The Obama and Biden families will be participating in volunteer service in the Washington, D.C. area, and would like you to take part in your community. Join any one of more than 10,000 service events already scheduled across America, or host your own.
• Kids' Inaugural: We Are The Future -- After being part of the day of service, Michelle Obama and Jill Biden will host a free Kids' Inaugural concert for the children of military families. Performances by Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers, Bow Wow and others will be broadcast on the Disney Channel and Disney Radio beginning at 8:00 p.m. EST.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20TH

On Tuesday, January 20, 2009, following the Inaugural Luncheon in Statuary Hall in the Capitol Building, the newly sworn president and vice president will make their way down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House, leading an Inaugural Parade of military regiments, citizens' groups, marching bands and floats. The president and first lady, vice president and his wife, and their guests will then review the processon as it passes in front of a specially built reviewing stand.

• The Neighborhood Ball -- On the night of the Inauguration, the newly sworn-in President and the First Lady will attend the first-ever Neighborhood Inaugural Ball. Join the celebration by hosting or attending a Neighborhood Ball in your own community. ABC will broadcast the Washington, D.C. Neighborhood Ball, and the Presidential Inaugural Committee will be live blogging from the ballroom.

These are just a few of the events planned in the coming days. Visit the Presidential Inauguration Committee Site to find out more...

Hotels and inns around Washington DC are expected to be fully booked for the historic occasion, with hotly contested tickets sold out for about a dozen sanctioned inaugural balls and parties kicking off January 15. Expected to perform at various functions in January include a Who's Who of celebrity guests and star performers including former Obama campaigner Oprah Winfrey, pop divas Beyonce and Mariah Carey, country singers Garth Brooks and Faith Hill, golfing great Tiger Woods, and many, many others.

More about Inauguration Day around the Web:

Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies - The official site for the 2009 inaugural with information on tickets, the Inaugural luncheon, ball, and related events of the day with historical inaugural firsts and facts.

"I Do Solemnly Swear ..." : Presidential Inaugurations - Library of Congress special presentation with historic video, images and photos including hand-written inaugural speeches, notable events and inaugural trivia, and select bible quotes used by presidents in taking the oath of office.

United States presidential inauguration - Wikipedia entry with a discussion on inauguration history, traditions, famous speeches, inaugural dates, fun facts & trivia, related links & resouces.

The Avalon Project : The Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents - Complete texts from George Washington to George W. Bush.

Celebrating Inauguration Day - FamilyEducation.com - Kid-friendly quizzes, printables, games, polls and related resources.

Inauguration Day Activities - Suggested discussions and learning activities for grades K-5.

also see -> Presidents Day | Washington, DC

2009 Obama Inauguration Luncheon Menu & Recipes

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