So help me God: Obama becomes the first African-American to take the office of president of the United States [AFP]
21 Jan 2009
Obama took the oath of office with his hand on a bible first used by Abraham Lincoln, the US president credited with bringing an end to what he called "the monstrous injustice of slavery" [AFP]
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Crowds estimated at more than a million packed into Washington DC's mall to watch the inauguration ceremony [AFP]
Turning the page: Obama told Americans "we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America" [AFP]
Handing over: George Bush, leaving office as one of the least popular presidents in US history, congratulates his successor [AFP]
Challenges ahead: Obama waves to the crowd as the Iranian flag passes by during the inaugural parade [AFP]
Heading home to Texas: Barack Obama, the 44th US president, sees off number 43, George Bush, and his wife [AFP]
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Tight security was put in place for an inauguration ceremony that cost an estimated $170m [AFP]
Making history: Barack Obama and his wife Michelle leave their heavily armoured limousine to walk the final few steps to the White House [AFP]