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Inauguration Frenzy
Washington, DC is gearing up for the party of the year, with hotels booked, security out in full force, and hundreds of notable celebrities heading into town to celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president. But you don't have to be in DC to experience the pomp and circumstance around the quadriennial event.
NewsHour will be broadcasting the swearing in from 11am to 2pm on Tuesday, January 20. You can follow the whole day online at their inauguration central site. Or if you're in Washington, check out the Google map and find out where to go before setting out in the cold to the day's events.
What's it like to cover an inauguration? Beyond the grandstands, it's the excitement and story of the spectators that interests NewsHour's Gwen Ifill "I'm personally more interested in hearing the stories of the people who come to the inauguration," Ifill said in this week's Reporter's Notebook.
But the main event - the swearing in and inaugural address - is what goes down in history. Explore speeches of every president and the key words in their addresses here, then relive Obama's rise to the top in Frontline's Dreams of Obama.
For a roundup of online inauguration coverage beyond PBS.org, check out Documenting Inauguration 2009 on the P.O.V. blog.
How are you marking Inauguration Day? Should celebrations be scaled back due to the tough economy? Share your plans and opinions using the comments feature below.
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Big fan, great show!
Inaugaration Day
I agree, the security will be out in full force for the swearing in. This is truly a milestone is U.S. history, and with President Elect I know that in some areas will be even more secure. I can only imagine the hustle and bustle of D.C. Think I will watch it on T.V.
Inauguration Day
I have been inspired by your commitment to provide complete coverage of this momentous day to write the following poem:
INAUGURATION DAY
By Joan E. Stern
As all administrations come and go
Transition seems so exceedingly slow
A longer span than in other places
Stakes are high after election races
Yet not by caprice but by amendment
Is the time set for changing government
History is filled with harsh lame duck woes
Stories of candidates nearly at blows
The name lame duck is a century old
When those in London's Stock Market were told
They could not pay a penny of their debt
Without capital - no quick safety net
Jefferson's dislike for president two
Meant Adams made appointments to undo
Buchanan passed the baton to Lincoln
While seven states announced their succession
Wilson declaimed he could solve the delay
Resign the presidency in the fray
A second term he just managed to win
The idea of quitting became a sin
Hoover was by far the lamest of all
No words from FDR - not a short call
He crafted the New Deal soon as he could
Undermining all for which Herbert stood
Fast forward to fragile 2008
The most powerful man one day quite late
Had shoes thrown at him - actually a pair
Giving the new guy more than his fair share
Attention and accolades from the press
Can lead to a diminished chief's distress
But only one president at a time
Not even a poet can change this rhyme
Don't hand over the "codes" as Reagan did
Core of authority cannot be slid
Until noon on January 20
When there will be expertise aplenty
Ms. Stern that is quite the
Ms. Stern that is quite the poem!! I enjoyed reading it!
My Poem--Inauguration Day
Thank you, Stuart, so much for taking the time to read and comment on my poem. I'm glad the 10 syllable rhyming lines appealed to you. I appreciate your support and hope you will tune in for the ceremonies on Tuesday. Try not to miss Elisabeth Alexander's reading of her poem about this historic day.
MLK's Speech
CNN is going to show Martin Luther King's speech in full at noon tomorrow on Inauguration Day. This thing is huge. I don't think anyone really gets how big this is.
As an interested spectator
As an interested spectator from the UK, I've been fascinated by the recent US election which has received extensive coverage over here.
I'm really looking forward to watching the inauguration, which is being shown live by the BBC.
You can really feel the excitement even at this distance. I hope everyone remains safe today, and I wish Obama all the luck in the world. I fear he has a mountain to climb, but he inspires people like no-one I've ever seen before, so who knows? Maybe he is what the world has been waiting for.
I feel I should be there
Watching it on TV is all well and good but I am sure that in years to come being able to say "I was there" will feel good.
I am sure that this is going to mark a new starting point in world history. Maybe we won't feel its effect immediately but I am hopeful.
Long road ahead
This is a great opportunity to make a difference in the history of the United states of America. I hope and pray he stays out of the gray areas and the frey. I hope he stays focused and steers us in the right direction. God speed.. America
Listened To The Inauguration Online
I listened to the Inauguration online with my favorite Conservative Talk Radio Show host and was pleased that they went out of thier way to not be critical of everything going on during the Inauguration. In order for us to get thru our current financial crisis we have to rely on both sides of the isle working together.
Obama
What a historic and exciting week. The whole week has been full of hope and change. We wish the best for the new Administration and hope that all of the plans are carried out successfully.