It is interesting to look at the photos from today, and they are all over the web. But in this photo, I was around this spot on the day Barack Obama became president of the United States.
I was there. How happy I am that I planned it early, and made it happen. I recommend an inauguration visit to anyone.
Bono sings Pride (In the name of love) and City of Blinding Lights at the Lincoln Memorial concert. I was about half way down the reflecting pool. Great day. Great crowd. Great memories.
It is a difficult thing to describe. I was among the million in the crowd, and had a front row seat to history being made. Among the highlights though were the reaction of the crowd to George Bush – wholescale boos. This was followed by everyone singing “na na na na, na na na na, hey hey, goodbye”.
After Obama became president, the music started – hail to the chief came on and the people around me began dancing. People smiled and danced with strangers, the atmosphere was one of sheer delight. The crowds were tremendously positive, and despite being squeezed and jostled everyone was polite and friendly. The crowd also reacted well to the gaffe during the swearing in.
Here are some of the photos from today’s inauguration.
More below the fold.
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Heading down to the national mall now… looks like 2 million people will turn out. Will take a few photos. :-)
Garth Brooks does shout. The crowd went wild. The ground shook from people jumping up and down. Unbelievable.
If anyone was wondering how many people went, all I can say is that a huge amount went. I have never seen so many people congregate in one place. This photo demonstrates, almost:
All the way from Lincoln to the Washington monument. Estimates are 500,000 people, which I would agree with.
Lots more in the Flickr set.
I have some video, will try and upload soon.
Gosh, Obama sure gets the celebrities to come out and sing on January 19. (I might try to go but I imagine it will be heaving)
Musical performers scheduled for the event include Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Usher Raymond IV, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, will.i.am, and Stevie Wonder. Among those reading historical passages will be Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington. The Rt. Reverend V. Gene Robinson will give the invocation. Rob Mathes will be the music director and arranger for the backing band, which will support all of the artists. Additional performers will be announced as they are confirmed.