Crowds gather for Obama inauguration

CROWDS are gathering in Washington for President Barack Obama's inauguration.

Rhenda Phillips-Sanders, 55, who travelled from Shreveport, Louisiana, for the inauguration, is carrying the same enthusiasm that brought her there four years ago.

"To be able to have a black president within our lifetime and then to have him come back twice, that's history within itself," the African-American said. "I'm so excited I could do the running man."

While the public inauguration will lose some of its punch because Obama was officially sworn in on Sunday (Monday AEDT), it will hold added meaning because it coincides with Martin Luther King Jr Day - the federal holiday that commemorates the fallen civil rights leader.

Obama, 51, will repeat his oath of office for the public, laying his hands on two stacked Bibles of historic significance before delivering the much-awaited inaugural speech.

The burgundy velvet Bible was used by president Abraham Lincoln at his first inauguration in 1861, as he headed into the dark Civil War journey that would end slavery. The black King James Bible was carried by King on his travels around the country until he was slain in 1968.

The previous day's private oath was necessary to fulfil the constitutional mandate that every presidential term begin at noon on January 20. Dating back to 1821, if the date fell on a Sunday, public celebrations have been postponed to another day.

Obama and his family, along with the family of Vice-President Joe Biden, are attending a service at St John's Episcopal Church within sight of the White House, observing a tradition for presidents dating back to 1816.

They will then head to Capitol Hill for the public ceremonies. Pop star Beyonce is to sing the national anthem, and singer-songwriter James Taylor and singer Kelly Clarkson are to perform.

After his second oath-taking, administered by Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts, Obama is to deliver the inaugural speech, outlining his second-term ambitions.

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