Barack Obama made history this afternoon as he was sworn in as America's first black president.
Two million watching people crammed into the streets of Washington - with over a billion watching on television around the world - as the 47-year-old junior senator from Chicago became the most powerful man in the world.
His wife Michelle and two daughters Sasha and Malia watched as Mr Obama made the famous inauguration pledge to take over the White House from George Bush.
Barack Obama - his hand on the Lincoln Bible held by his wife Michelle - is sworn in by U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts
Well done, Dad! Mr Obama's daughter Sasha gives her father the thumbs-up after he is sworn in
Mr. Obama gives tearful wife Michelle - still clutching the Lincoln Bible - a kiss
Starting his long-awaited inauguration speech, Mr Obama said: 'Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.'
The challenges America faces - two wars, an economy in crisis, healthcare, education and the environment - are real, he said, speaking with a teleprompter.
But he added: 'On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
'On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
A grinning Barack Obama walks out to wild cheers as he is introduced at the ceremony
It's all yours, now: Barack Obama, Laua Bush, George Bush and Michelle Obama pose on the steps of the White House before going inside for coffee
'We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.'
With his hand on the Bible used in the 1861 inauguration of Abraham Lincoln - held by his grinning wife Michelle - Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts administered the 35-word oath of office taken by every American president dating to George Washington.
Cannons fired as onlookers burst into ecstatic cheers.
The White House Web site - the online bastion of the Bush administration for the past eight years - has already been updated to reflect President Barack Obama's assumption of office.
'The White House. President Barack Obama," reads the top of the new home page, which went live even before Obama finished delivering his first speech. "Welcome to the new WhiteHouse.gov. Change has come to America.'
However the dawn of the Obama presidency could not shake Wall Street from its dejection over the banking industry's growing problems. After hearing the new president's inaugural address, investors continued selling, sending the major indexes down more than two per cent.
The Presidential motorcade approaches Capitol Hill
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
Mr Obama's daughters Sasha and Malia at the ceremony
The crowd - which had earlier booed George Bush - could be heard chanting 'Obama!' and 'Yes we can!' as Mr Obama strode out on stage.
The President-elect arrived with Mr Bush in a motorcade from the White House. Michelle Obama, her daughters Sacha and Malia, and the Bidens have also arrived.
Earlier, the Bushs and the Obamas greeted each other on the steps of the White House - with Mr Bush breaking the tension by jovially shuffling from side to side as Mrs Obama went to kiss him first, then changed her mind to kiss Mrs Bush instead.
There Mr Bush hosted Mr Obama for coffee - and formally handed over the keys to the White House.
Day of history: Over a million people are watching Barack Obama be sworn in
Mr Bush and his successor rode together in a heavily armoured Cadillac to the Capitol building for the inauguration ceremony.
Mr Obama began the biggest day of his life with a low-key visit to church this morning - his final moments of privacy.
He waved to bystanders as he walked into St John's Church in Washington this morning, holding hands with his wife Michelle - clad in sparkling gold.
As bells pealed, the Obamas entered the church to applause from about 200 people. The choir and congregation began singing the hymn, 'O God Our Help in Ages Past.
Vice President-elect Joe Biden joined the Obamas for the traditional morning worship in the church, across Lafayette Park from the White House.
George Bush blows a kiss to reporters as he leaves the White House as president for the last time
Vice President Dick Cheney - who injured his back while moving - is wheeled to the ceremony with Vice President-Elect Joe Biden
The Rev. Luis Leon welcomed the Obamas and said every president since James Madison, the country's fourth, has worshipped at the church at least once, 'some of them kicking and screaming.'
Up to two million people are expected to crowd the grass of the National Mall before the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC to witness history.
Around the world up to 1.5billion more are expected to watch the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman tell Americans: 'We will walk as one'.
Talk show host Oprah Winfrey
Former Republican presidential candidate John McCain arrives for the inauguration ceremony
Mr Bush has already left a note for Mr Obama in the top drawer of his desk in the Oval Office, following tradition.
White House press secretary Dana Perino said the theme of the message was that Obama is about to begin a 'fabulous new chapter' in the United States, and that he wishes him well.
By 4 a.m. Washington time this morning, lines of riders formed in suburban parking lots for the Metro transit system, which put on extra trains and opened an hour early for the expected rush.
The unprecedented security operation was launched at 4am, with roads and bridges leading on to the Mall closed to traffic, as well as ground, air and water patrols.
An aerial view of Washington today, showing the Washington Monument to the left, the Capitol Building to the right - and, in between, over a million spectators crowding the National Mall
Soldiers stride past the Capitol early this morning
As the world's media gather - bundled against the cold - to watch the historic ceremony
'Tomorrow, we will come together as one people on the same mall where Dr King's dream echoes still,' he said.
It was the President-elect's last official statement before he takes the oath as president at noon today and receives the keys to the White House, which was partly built with the labour of slaves.
In one of his final interviews before assuming the presidency, Mr Obama said: 'There is an entire generation that will grow up taking for granted that the highest office in the land is filled by an African American.'
Mr Obama was born to a black Kenyan father and a white American mother. His father, Barack Obama Sr., married his mother, Ann Dunham, while studying at the University of Hawaii. The couple separated two years after Obama was born.
Source: Daily Mail Uk.
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