"He was speaking to the naysayers, to the detractors. "He's expecting all of us to rise to those challenges," McCrary says. "What is a given is that so many Americans and so many people around the world want him to be a great president."Īlthough Obama talked about tremendous challenges in his inaugural address, McCrary says he thought the speech struck a positive, optimistic tone. "I think one of the things that stood out more than anything was when our new president spoke about pride and the promise of freedom," McCrary says. From Audie Cornish, Near The Lincoln Memorial:Īs hundreds of thousands of people filter out of the national mall to make their way to the parade, NPR's Audie Cornish spoke with Robert McCrary of Nashville, Tenn. All Kenya celebrates with you.' "ġ:12 p.m. Kibogy is coy about whether she has any relationship to the Obama family. "You see," she says, "it has Obama's picture, with the Kenyan and American flags." From Corey Flintoff, Third And Madison Streets:Īs the crowd swirls away from the front of the Capitol, Jebet Kibogy of Kenya turns in a slow circle, displaying the Kenyan banner across her shoulders. "It's an inspiring moment for those in the crowd," Seabrook says.ġ:32 p.m. One woman in the crowd says that dancing in the streets "is a sign of good things to come," and another African-American woman in the crowd says she was proud of how many white people voted for Barack Obama. A woman in a long fur coat is leading people in a celebratory line dance as music from Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen comes over the PA system. "The scene here is just lovely," Andrea Seabrook tells Steve Inskeep.
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From Andrea Seabrook At Freedom Plaza:īetween the Capitol and the White House, people are dancing and celebrating. "I don't think I could have stood another minute."ġ:38 p.m. "Thank God the museum did this," Kashen says. The Freer Gallery almost feels like a refugee camp with people sitting on the floor, eating, occasionally even looking at art.ĭave Kashen from Baltimore has an American flag sticking out of his backpack.
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With 19 degree temperatures and a fresh wind blowing dust on the Mall, people who find access blocked due to the parade are seeking shelter where they can. From Margot Adler, the Freer Gallery, National Mall: He may be getting out here? Nope, maybe not.ģ:12 p.m. The crowd is shrieking as they see Obama's car. The cars are moving very slowly, with the Secret Service walking alongside them. Everyone is hoping this will be the moment he gets out of the car and speaks to people along the route.
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The president is passing the National Gallery of Art. From Linda Wertheimer, Near The National Gallery Of Art: A crush of people pack the rim of Pennsylvania Avenue waiting for a glimpse.ģ:55 p.m. The red and blue lights glitter as the president and his escort near the White House. From Andrea Seabrook, At Freedom Plaza:Īlong the inauguration parade route, a rising wind whips hundreds of American flags. The mood is celebratory, as much as you would expect at the parade.Ĥ:13 p.m. You may see them all jump out again, but certainly when they get closer to the White House at a very elaborate viewing stand. When the motorcade had moved past the embassy, the Obamas walked a block or two hand in hand to the delight of the crowd. We've had a number of military vans go by, and we're waiting to see most of the states' entertainers, bands, equestrian groups. From Michele Norris, Near The Canadian Embassy: President Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, Malia and Sasha could all be seen inside the limousine as it passed, laughing, grinning and waving.Ĭrowds screamed and cheered, pumping the air with fists and waving flags ecstatically.Īfter the first family passed, though, people began streaming toward the gates, too cold, perhaps, to wait for the bands, floats and other well-wishers that will come in the parade.Ĥ:13 p.m. NPR reporters brought us scenes from the crowd, which started arriving on the Mall before dawn and stretched all the way to the Lincoln Memorial by 11:30 a.m. Later, revelers screamed and cheered for the new first family along the inaugural parade route. They huddled together for warmth and sang songs, with hope and optimism a frequent theme.
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Many inauguration-goers were draped in Obamarabilia, and some waved American flags. Many people made their way to the swearing-in ceremony in the pre-dawn hours.Ī massive crowd that extended more than two miles from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., gathered to watch Barack Obama's swearing-in on Tuesday.