Mr. President

"The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness." (Barack Obama)



This is not part of my art history homework but I thought it deserved to be a part of my common place book.

Today, January 20th 2009, marks a very significant event in the history of the United States of America. Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America and is the first African American President in history. I, like many other Americans and fellow students of UNCSA, gathered with my close friends this morning to watch Mr. Obama be sworn into office.

I was so proud to have been apart of the unique voting process of the United States for the first time in my life even if it was with an absente ballot. It was amazing to see the crowd that turned out to see the new President take office and to see the Mr. Bush leave after a reign of eight years in office. There were over two million people that showed up outside the Capital building, bracing the traffic and the cold of D.C. and watching and waiting for the new President to be sworn in and to give his inaguration speech. Mr. Obama was sworn in after his Vice President Joe Biden. Even though Mr. Obama forgot one of his lines when taking his oath, it was amazing to see all the flags waving and the people cheering once he was offically in. Though thanks to CNN they informed us that at noon even though he had not taken the oath he was offically President according to the US Constitution.

Mr. Obama gave a very heart felt and well spoken speech. He didn't suger coat anything but at the same time gave hope to everyone in the country and many others around the world. He knows he will have an uphill battle during his term(s) and intends to fight them head on. Mr. Obama is very charasmatic and had everyone's attention the entire time. He addressed everyone; no matter what religion, race, age, ethnicity, etc and he made that a very strong point in his speech. And he ended it with a confident and deviant statement that wrapped everythign up nicely:

"America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations." (Barack Obama)

Now America looks forward and see a new generation and a new country. Citizens must help rebuild America and work alongside the President and government in Washington. Americans must seize this new sense of change and hope to get the nation back on track.