1/20/09

In an inaugural tradition, the Bushes welcomed the Obamas to the White House for tea. Michelle Obama’s outfit was designed by Isabel Toledo. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Associated Press)

Thousands have filled the streets of Washington to witness the swearing-in of President-elect Barack Obama. You can follow along here as the spectacle unfolds today.

A Historical Perspective | 10:29 a.m. Doris Kearns Goodwin is talking on MSNBC about the historic nature of the gathering taking place behind her at the Capitol.

She notes that in 1861, when Lincoln first took the oath, there was “a sense of a great haunting moment in history,” as there was with F.D.R. in 1933. “Most generations don’t have that,” she said, but predicted that this was such a moment because of the combination of Mr. Obama’s “inspirational character,” the crises the country is facing and the fact that he is the first African-American president. As an historian, she said, “It’s pretty exciting to be living in it rather than just reading about it 100 years later.”

This huge outpouring of citizens who want to be active, she says, could help Mr. Obama build his political capital.

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