Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010
The First Speech
"Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America."—Jan. 20, 2009
The 44th President of the United States focused his inaugural address on the same themes — hope and change — that had helped carry him to office. A record-setting crowd massed in Washington, and millions more tuned in on TV to watch as Barack Obama became the nation's first black President. He gave the somber speech on a cold but sunny day, in the midst of a recession and two wars.