Today marks the one year anniversary of President Obama officially becoming our 44th president. I’m not going to get into the politics of the whole thing because frankly, I don’t know much of what’s on (don’t judge me), instead I’m going to take the opportunity to reminisce about Inauguration Day: January 20, 2009.
First, I remember that Obama was supposed to take the oath of office at about 12:00 noon. However, I wasn’t due to get out of class until 12:05. I had very little hope of getting out of class early because from what I could tell, my professor was a Republican. Therefore, my plan was to run from my classroom on the 2nd floor down to the cafe’ in the basement of the building I was in, and hopefully make it in time to witness the oath on one of the televisions there.
Miracle of miracles, my professor let us out of class at exactly 12:00. So, I rushed down the stairs and got to the television just in time to see Vice President Joe Biden take his oath of office. There were probably about a hundred people crowded into the cafe’ in front of two television sets. While someone was singing (Maya Angelou? I don’t remember…) I grabbed a quick lunch. I planted myself on the floor in front of the TV just in time to see President Obama take the oath of office.
I remember it being completely silent in the room during this part of the ceremony, even when the infamous moment when the Chief Justice mixed up the lines of the oath occured. When the oath was over, everyone let out a large cheer. It was one of the most exciting and historic moments I have ever witnessed. Thank goodness the class I had just gotten let out of was a history class, so even that professor understood the significance of witnessing the moment, even if he didn’t support it.
After the oath was over, I practically ran across campus and back to my residence hall. Once I got to my room, I turned on the TV and watched in slight awe as the rest of the inauguration ceremony unfolded. (Thankfully, Iwas done with classes for the day, so I could afford to watch.)
As a history major, I felt it was my duty to witness the entire day unfold. So, there I sat at my computer, talking on skype with one of my friends from high school (who was doing the same thing), taking in the events of the day. Together, we analyzed the ceremony, reminisced over the former administration when the Ex-President and Mrs Bush waved good-bye to the country, and watched as the motorcade drove down Pennsylvania Avenue and arrived at the White House.
During a break in the festivities, we both took a dinner break. Soon after, we were back to watching and waiting with baited breath for the Inaugural Balls to begin. This was about the time that we began talking about how cool Washington DC is, and how lucky the people that work for the government are. We fantasized about the working in the White House or at the Capitol on a day like that. I became convinced that I would marry a politican and if I was lucky, become First Lady. With all the hype about Michelle Obama’s gown, I started browsing the internet and found my own “Inaugural Ball gown” too. 
(What can I say? I have an active imagnation, and admit it, you think being married to the president would be cool too.)
Finally, the coverage of the Inaugural Balls began. We ‘oohed’ and ‘ahhed’ over the glamor of it all, and watched as the Obamas danced their first dance to Etta James’ “At Last.” After maybe the fourth Ball, my friend and I realized that it was about midnight, and we had morning classes the next day. We reluctantly turned off the TV and thus, Inauguration Day ended.
I feel so lucky that I got to witness these events. Obama’s Inauguration is definitely one of the historic moments that I will remember clearly for the rest of my life.
What about you? What do you remember about Inaugration Day? Or even past Inauguration Days? LEave a comment and let me know!
