WASHINGTON - At the end of a long journey - both figuratively, through a long campaign season and literally, from Philadelphia's 30th Street Station this weekend - Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States yesterday in Washington, D.C.
Obama's inauguration was a historic moment for the U.S. - and many Penn students made the trek to the nation's capital to witness it.
In his inaugural address, President Obama discussed the history of America as a journey that never permitted "settling for less." He highlighted the sacrifices the country's citizens made "so that we could have a better life."
Though America is in crisis and there is a "sapping of confidence," he said, "this is the journey that we continue today."
Penn Democrats Vice-President and Wharton sophomore Michael Stratton traveled with one of the Penn Democrats' two buses to Washington to witness the inaugural ceremony.
Stratton said he stood at the Washington Monument and the "view was awesome in the distance."
The early-morning cold weather in D.C. was "the kind of memory that lasts for a couple of days," he said, "but the inauguration is a memory that lasts a lifetime."
Stratton said the Penn Dems trip was a success.
The Office of the Vice Provost for University Life also sent 46 undergraduate and graduate students to Washington with help from the Undergraduate Assembly and Graduate and Professional Student Assembly.
College junior Emily Levine was on the bus, which arrived in Washington at 3 a.m. After waiting at a secure entrance for six hours, she was told to move on and watched the inauguration on a television.
Despite being among the group of students on the VPUL bus who were turned away, Levine was still glad she made the trip.
"It felt great that everyone came together," she said. "[Obama] did a really good job."
President Obama spoke directly to foreign countries in his inaugural address. He said he would find a "new way forward" in the Muslim world and pledged to help poor nations.
America, Obama said, is "ready to lead once more."
To terrorists, he said, "you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you," and made reference to America's past alliances against fascism and communism.
Wharton and Engineering freshman Kate Salkowski watched the inauguration with two other Penn students.
She said she was surprised at the people in the good-natured crowd, who were even sharing water bottles.
"I really liked the part of his speech where he said 'America is a friend,'" she said.
Although an inauguration involves a huge amount of planning, this one wasn't without its surprises.
While Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts swore Obama in as President, he made an error in reading the oath.
President Obama paused during his reply to allow Roberts to correct himself.
President George W. Bush appeared on stage to the sound of a booing crowd. A banner saying "Shoo Bush Shoo" was erected on the National Mall.
Obama closed his speech by saying, "let it be said . that we refused to let this journey end," before taking his seat as the President of the United States.
