WASHINGTON — Catherine Cheney, the online editor for the News, reported on the inauguration from the Newseum — and, later, the Western Ball. Watch her video below.
By Han Xu
ON INTERSTATE 295 OUTSIDE WASHINGTON, 6:06 p.m. — I’m back on the Af-Am House bus, and all of the other Yalies have returned, too. Many are already sprawled across their bus seats and have fallen asleep.
On one bus, a group of students have cut into the celebratory cake that they brought down with them. Despite the crushing crowds and frigid temperatures, spirits are still high, undoubtedly uplifted by the occasion and atmosphere.
By Han Xu
WASHINGTON, 4:47 p.m. — The wonderful thing about these massive public events is how it brings so many strangers together to share in one common experience. The people that I met today on the mall certainly demonstrated that, being extremely friendly to everyone, even when smashed against each other in the streets going in and out of the mall.
One individual was particularly interesting: a Mexican born immigrant of over 50 years traveled all the way from Los Angeles to D.C. by bus alone, so that he could celebrate his 72nd birthday on the mall during the inauguration with two million strangers.
Others: two people from different parts of the country who met in Baghdad. One was a military service person, the other, a contractor. Now, more than a year after, they meet back up in D.C. for the inauguration.
Now, the honeymoon is over and the real work begins. Let’s hope that this feeling of unity and optimism persists well into the new administration.
By Rustin Fakheri
WASHINGTON, 3:16 p.m. — People were spooning to keep warm at the National Mall. We hear the parade route is full and cold.
NEW HAVEN, 1 p.m. — The Presidential Inaugural Committee has provided the text of President Barack Obama’s inaugural address, as prepared for delivery. Read the speech after the jump.
By Taylor Lasley
WASHINGTON — Barack Obama will be inaugurated today as the 44th president of the United States. The News is here on the National Mall to live-blog the ceremony.
12:13 p.m. | The Inaugural Prayer said that we are “United by our freedom and justice for all.”
But perhaps more impressive than this unity, is the unity that Barack Obama has already, less than an hour into his presidency, has given over two million people that surround me.
I turned to my friend and I told her that I feel like I know Barack Obama, that he is a friend. It seems, from others’ calling his first name and cheering for Michelle, Malia and Sasha that they feel the same. Tears are flowing and it seems that everyone truly believes the words that our president is saying and the promises that he is making.
12:11 p.m. | Waving flags, screaming people and huge smiles as Obama appeared on the screen. He processes down the hallway with the very confidence that got him elected. An expression of calm, collected excitement is clear on his face as he prepares to be inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States. Words of awe and cheers of “Oh-ba-ma!” in the crowds.
“There is nothing to say — we’re in a moment of history,” Carmen Chambers ’12 said.
12:05 p.m. | As soon as George W. Bush ’68 was introduced, the crowd surrounding me stooped to the level of kids at a high school basketball game and started singing “na-na-na-na, goodbye.” It makes me question why party politics has made it such that the only way to support one politician is by disrespecting another.
11:14 a.m. | General laughter from the audience when the announcer asked us to “please be seated.” This experience gives a new meaning to the term “standing room only.”
11:00 a.m. | After about a half-hour walk from Georgetown University I have finally arrived at The Mall. We had no trouble entering from the waterfront side which was surprisingly open.
Everyone is bundled to avoid bitter winds. Patrons are lined against the reflecting pool between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. The JumboTron screens will be the only chance that I have of watching the Inauguration. The sea of patriotically-dressed people eagerly awaiting the action is, hopefully, tight enough to provide body heat for the rest of the morning.
“It actually does make me want to cry when I think of all the patriotism and the hope,” Charlotte Thun-Hohenstein ’12 said.
More to come after my hands defrost.
By Zeke Miller
WASHINGTON, 10:52 a.m. — Joe Lieberman is on the JumboTron and the crowd is booing and screaming traitor.
Booing for Bush too.
By Clark Xue
WASHINGTON, 9:55 a.m. — As a native of California, I can no longer take the weather and am taking refuge in the Smithsonian until about 11 a.m. And I’m not the only one with the idea.
In fact, there is a line to get in, and hot dog stands are price-gouging. The initial excitement here seems to be giving way to exhaustion and hypothermia — but Obama’s presence should cure all. He is still wildly cheered when his name is mentioned on the jumbotrons.
By Martine Powers
WASHINGTON, 8:25 a.m. — Entering the silver gate entrance onto the mall was a chaotic process. The atmosphere, though exhilirating, was also mildly warlike. Police cars on every corner, choppers dotting the sky, militant chants and the occasional primal scream. If you didn’t know better, Obama’s inauguration could seem like a conflict zone — if only everyone weren’t smiling.
As the gates opened and ticketed inauguration-goers swarmed onto the mall, one older black man, bundled up in his Obama sweatshirt, shouted: ”free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty I’m free at last!” The crowds raced toward the best viewing spots, climbed onto trees and unfolded their blankets. Then we stopped — the mad dash was over — and now we are left to wait. The sun has risen over Capitol Hill, reflecting off the ivory columns of the rotunda, and behind us, the Washington monument glints majestically.
By Zeke Miller
WASHINGTON, 8:22 a.m. — The gates appear to have opened but crowds have only gotten bigger. People are booing at a group that cut the line. There are no police here and it is chaos. The lines have disolved into a massive group of people pushing and shoving each other.
By Zeke Miller
WASHINGTON, 6:32 a.m. — There are at least 1,000 people on the Federal Center metro platform here trying to leave the station. As crowded conditions continue, metro trains are temporarily bypassing the station to the cheers of those waiting to get out of the station and misfortune of those on the train.
