OBAMA 411: Inauguration Day Details

In less than two weeks, the history books (and our lives) will change forever. Barack Obama (a bi-racial/Black American) will be the first minority EVER to be sworn in as a U.S. President -- the 44th to be exact.

I know a few people who will be heading to D.C. for the Inauguration (some even have tickets! lol), but for those of you having to watch it from home (like me), here are some details about the big day that you may find interesting:

• The theme of the inauguration is "A New Birth of Freedom," commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln.
  
  
• Inauguration events begin on January 17 with a train ride beginning in Philadelphia and stopping in Wilmington, Delaware and Baltimore before continuing on to Washington, D.C. Events are scheduled in Washington from January 18th to January 21st.
  
  
• The D.C. police force is expected to double to 8,000 with the police officers from around the United States being added to the force for additional security. There will also be 11,500 troops to aid with security. 5,000 of those troops will participate in the Inaugural Parade in a ceremonial capacity.
  
  
• Obama has purchased his first new tuxedo in 15 years for the inauguration. The tuxedo was made by Hart Schaffner Marx, a Chicago-based menswear firm that uses union labor. During the four nights of the inauguration celebration, D.C. bars will have a 4 AM liquor curfew, which is later than usual. In addition, they will be able to stay open twenty-four hours a day for the entire four days.
  
  
• The Obamas will attend ten official inaugural balls on January 20. They will begin Inauguration Day night at the Washington Convention Center as hosts of the "Neighborhood Inaugural Ball", which will commence the evening of celebrations
  

• The oath of office and inaugural address will take place at the west front of the United States Capitol at noon on January 20th.
  
  
• Vice President-elect Biden will take his oath first from Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States John Paul Stevens, then Obama will take his oath of office from Chief Justice Roberts.
  
  
• Obama has decided to follow recent tradition and use his full name, including his middle name Hussein. The decision to use his middle name is part of an effort to "reboot America's image around the world," according to Obama.
  
  
• Obama is to be sworn on the Bible used by Abraham Lincoln at his first inauguration in 1861. The swearing in will be followed by the first 21-gun salute to the President from the members of the armed forces, as well as the first playing of four ruffles and flourishes and "Hail to the Chief". Obama will deliver his inaugural speech afterward.
  
  
• The 2009 inauguration is expected to be attended by 1.5 to 4 million people, which would set a record. Lyndon Johnson's 1965 inauguration holds the record with 1.2 million attendees. Both of George W. Bush's inaugurations drew about 300,000.

• The Tuskegee Airmen are among the invited guests for the inauguration.
• The program by the Congressional leaders includes music by Aretha Franklin and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
  
  
• The inaugural parade will travel down Pennsylvania Avenue, in front of the White House. It is scheduled to extend for over two hours in the afternoon following the inauguration. It will include 15,000 people, 240 horses and dozens of marching bands and one mariachi band from Espanola, New Mexico
  

WANT 2 KNOW MORE? Well ... Here ya go:

• Get a complete listing of official Inaugural Events HERE:

• Get a directory of both official and unofficial balls HERE.

• Also, you can join the nation in celebrating Change by volunteering for the Martin Luther King Community Service Events leading up to the Inauguration. Go HERE for more information.

• And get down Inauguration Night (01/20/09) at the official Inaugural Bash in New Orleans .. at Tipitina's. Go HERE for the details on the big party in the Big Easy.






** CONGRATS TO OUR NEW PRESIDENT ... BARACK OBAMA ... AND GET READY FOR CHANGE AMERICA!!! ***