At a time of economic devastation at home and challenges abroad, "What is required of us is a new era of responsibility - a recognition on the part of every American that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world," Obama told a throng estimated at upward of 1 million people on the National Mall in Washington and tens of millions more watching on television around the globe.
The jubilant crowd, which stretched nearly 2 miles from the steps of the Capitol, celebrated the barrier-shattering moment as the 47-year-old son of an African immigrant and a white, Kansas-born woman was sworn in at 9:05 a.m. PST, his hand on a Bible once used by Abraham Lincoln.
Cheers of "Obama! Obama!" rang out, and a sea of American flags waved as the former community organizer and Democratic ex-senator from Illinois strode to the podium.
Obama, in his 20-minute inaugural address, referred to the wonder of the moment - that he stood before Americans as the son of a man who 60 years ago "might not have been served at a local restaurant" - as he talked of the enduring character of the national spirit and the country's capacity to meet challenges.
Roberts trips on wording
The new president took the oath of office on the Capitol steps on a frigid but sunny day, wife Michelle at his side, and daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, nearby. He was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts, who at one point flubbed the order of the 35-word oath - prompting a brief pause and a halting smile from Obama.
Minutes earlier, Joe Biden, 66, was sworn in as vice president.
In his inaugural address, the new president issued a ringing and confident call to action even as he conceded that the challenges facing the country "are serious and they are many."
"They will not be met easily, or in a short span of time," Obama said. "But know this, America - they will be met."
And he urged Americans to forge an era of unity.
"On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics," Obama said. "The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit, to choose our better history."
Watershed moment
The crowd on the National Mall was believed to be the largest ever assembled in the nation's capital. For many, there and elsewhere, the elevation to the presidency of an African American represented an emotional watershed moment.
"This was the personification of our sacred civic belief that all men are created equal," said California political strategist Phil Trounstine. "With his call for shared responsibility, commitment and sacrifice, President Obama has asked Americans to place the common good above private interests."
African Americans particularly felt the reality of the impossible finally becoming possible.
"The visuals of seeing Barack Obama and Michelle Obama on the podium as part of the inauguration are just surreal," said James Taylor, an associate professor of politics and black history at the University of San Francisco. "Your eyes are telling you one thing, but history another. It is racial vertigo, emotional vertigo."
The events of the day signaled a dramatic finish to eight years under former President George W. Bush, who sat on the podium without reaction to Obama's address. Both Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, who was in a wheelchair because of a back injury, received scattered applause but also boos as they took their places on the stand.
Indirect dig at Bush
While thanking the outgoing president for his service, Obama also indirectly addressed problems that developed under Bush and former President Bill Clinton, who sat on the podium with his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, soon to be Obama's secretary of state.
"This (economic) crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control, and that a nation cannot prosper long when it only favors the prosperous," Obama said, adding pointedly that the "time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions ... has surely passed."
"We are ready to lead once more," Obama said to cheers.
The new president also sought to remind Americans of their historic strength - and their responsibilities - during times of crisis.
"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," Obama said. "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."
Although he issued no executive orders Tuesday, Obama is expected to plunge into his work, urging Congress to act on economic recovery, moving to begin an orderly withdrawal of troops from Iraq, and shutting down the detention center at Guantanamo Bay.
His inaugural address "hit all the right themes, heroes ranging from military to parents," said author and communications expert Ruth Sherman. ''He spoke to America's people - but also the world's people."
The inaugural ceremony was opened by its chair, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., who told the crowd, "Future generations will mark this moment as the turning point of real and necessary change."
Californians on podium
Many high-profile Californians were front and center on the podium and the steps of the Capitol. Feinstein and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, preceded Obama to the podium, while Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, state Attorney General Jerry Brown, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, D-Baldwin Vista (Los Angeles County), and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom were among those at the ceremony.
Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger III, the pilot from Danville hailed as a hero when he guided his crippled US Airways jet to a safe splash landing Thursday on the Hudson River in New York, got a VIP seat.
Obama led up to Tuesday's inauguration with a series of gestures aiming to reinforce his calls to close ideological divides. None drew more attention than his choice of the Rev. Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in Orange County to give the ceremonial invocation.
Warren, a vocal opponent of same-sex marriage whose inclusion outraged many gays and lesbians, was greeted mostly by applause, but also scattered boos. There appeared to be no major protests as Warren prayed for the Obama family and expressed hope that America would enter an era of "civility in our attitudes, even when we differ."
Bushes fly back to Texas
With the ceremony over, Obama accompanied Bush and his wife, Laura, to a helicopter that flew the former first couple to Andrews Air Force Base. From there, the Bushes returned to private life in Texas - the ex-president's approval ratings having dipped to 22 percent after two terms marred by wars, the worst enemy attack ever on U.S. soil and a devastating economic downturn.
Then began hours of revelry for the new president and the crowded capital. With millions of visitors in town, more than 15,000 extra law enforcement officers were mustered to keep events running smoothly. There wasn't a single arrest, and the partying came off without a major hitch.
At one point during the inaugural parade, the new president and first lady got out of their limousine and walked several blocks along Pennsylvania Avenue, surrounded by a large contingent of Secret Service agents.
After the parade, which lasted well into the evening hours, the Obamas began the rounds of 10 official inaugural balls.
At the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball, the president appeared alongside his wife - swathed in a cream-colored, one-shouldered gown designed by Jason Wu - and told the crowd, "This campaign was organized neighborhood by neighborhood. ... Together, we are going to change America."
Then the first couple headed to another expected highlight, a serenade from pop star Beyoncé, who chose for the Obamas' first dance an Etta James ballad: "At Last."
This article appeared on page A - 4 of the San Francisco Chronicle
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