Obama Becomes 44th U.S. President (VIDEO)

The festivities will continue throughout the evening and into the night, with the Presidential Inaugural Committee hosting 10 official inaugural balls.

President Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States of America Courtesy: whitehouse.gov

(SALEM, Ore.) - The hour has arrived, and the United States has a new President. It is an amazing story to say the least, as this nation stands, united, and takes it's first step on this new day.

After attending morning worship, per the tradition set by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933, Mr. Obama met outgoing president George W Bush and the two went together to the US Capitol, where there were performances by Aretha Franklin, composer John Williams, and the US Navy Band and Marine Band.

As 47-year old Barack Hussein Obama took the oath of office today, with the same Bible used by Abraham Lincoln at his first inaugural in 1861, he became our 44th president and the first African-American to serve in the highest office in the land.

Over a million people watched the inauguration from the National Mall and hundreds of thousands packed Pennsylvania Avenue to see the inaugural parade in person, while millions upon millions more Americans and people around the world watched this historic occasion from their own homes and work places.

"Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real,” Mr. Obama said in his inaugural address. “They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met.”

Joe Biden, 66, was sworn in as the Vice-President of the USA, beginning a second career after 36 years in the US Senate representing the state of Delaware.

More than 12,500 active troops and military reservists, thousands of metropolitan police and personnel from 57 departments around the nation have descended on Washington for this momentous occasion.

After the departure ceremony of George W. Bush, the new President, Vice President and their families and about 200 guests will enjoy a luncheon menu inspired by the tastes of President Lincoln.

After lunch, the 56th Inaugural Parade will travel down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House.

The festivities will continue throughout the evening and into the night, with the Presidential Inaugural Committee hosting 10 official inaugural balls.

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