In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. On from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue To reaffirm our enduring spirit to choose our better history to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. That for far too long have strangled our politics. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas, On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidenceĪcross our land-a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, that the next generation must lower its sights. These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet. Our health care is too costly our schools fail too many and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy Homes have been lost jobs shed businesses shuttered. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collectiveįailure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violenceĪnd hatred. That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. So it must be with this generation of Americans. At these moments,Īmerica has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we the people have remainedįaithful to the ideals of our forebears, and true to our founding documents. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation heįorty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borneīy our ancestors. The event's general air of celebration was tempered with sober evaluation of the nation's Large-screen televisions) this emotion-filled event, and countless others filled living rooms and other meeting places throughout The Washington Post estimated that 1.8 million people filled the National Mall to witness (the vast majority by means of strategically placed He was only the second man to swear his oath of office on the Bible usedīy Abraham Lincoln for that purpose. On January 20, 2009, a frigid morning in Washington, D.C., and across much of the country, an African American man, Barack Obama, became the 44th president of the United States.

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