The near-zero wind chill didn’t deter hundreds of thousands – if not millions – of people from cramming into the National Mall to witness the historical inauguration of President Obama.
Crowds poured into the Mall early Tuesday morning, stretching from the U.S. Capitol at the east end to the Lincoln Memorial at the west end.
Those who waited until the last minute were met with slow moving, but relatively courteous crowds.
It took 30 minutes for spectators from move down Independence Avenue, the southern border of the Mall, from the Capitol to the Washington Monument – a walk that normally takes about 10 minutes.
National Guardsmen blocked entrances into the Mall along Independence Avenue and ushered spectators down the street, sparking some frustration among those not wanting to miss Obama’s swearing-in.
People pushed each other forward and squished together to move toward the Mall. Most were apologetic and accepting of the cramped quarters. It was not a place for those with claustrophobia.
Some resigned themselves to stand along Independence Avenue not wanting to fight the crowds.
But for those who kept pushing, spilledl out near the Washington Monument, where a large screen and loudspeakers gave spectators a decent view of the festivities happening at the other end of the Mall.
When Obama took his oaththe crowd silent. But even before Obama could utter the last phrase of the oath, the crowd swelled with noise – cheering, weeping, hugging and shouting, “We did it! We did it!”
Some women cried, other spectators had beaming smiles amid the multiple layers of clothes aimed at thwarting a bitterly cold wind.
“The visual of seeing millions of people coming together for this one thing really shows that this is a country for the people, by the people and of the people,” said Leigh Taylor-Young, who came from Los Angeles to witness the inauguration.
As soon as Obama finished his speech, people quickly began to leave the Mall, climbing over fences and filling the streets with most seeking warmth.
As a crowd made its way slowly up 18th Street NW, the presidential helicopter Marine 1 flew by, presumably carrying now former President Bush.
The crowd cheered the passing helicopter, though it was not flattering. A group broke out into song, singing, “Hit the Road Bush.”
Security was intense, with police and soldiers at every corner. Most tried to direct pedestrian traffic, but at times the number of people was so large that they, not the soldiers nor the traffic lights, dictated traffic flow.
“Reports we are getting from soldiers is that they are highly motivated and the operations are running smoothly,” said Lt. Col. Charles Kohler of the Maryland National Guard, which sent 1,200 soldiers to assist in crowd control.
More prevalent than the overwhelming number of Obama supporters were the vendors hawking Obama merchandise.
Spectators couldn’t walk a block without someone trying to sell them T-shirts, buttons, calendars, hats, hand puppets, framed pictures, posters, key chains or flags bearing Obama’s visage and words such as “change” , “hope” and “history.”
And for many, Tuesday sparked a change in patriotism, hoping that this historic administration will breathe new life into national pride.
“I’m very emotional because the closing prayer started with the words of the National Black Anthem, ‘Lift every voice and sing,’” said Kathryn O’Neal of Virginia.
“To have an event where someone can say a Negro spiritual on the steps of the Capitol during an inauguration shows that we can finally become a place where we’re not black or white, but Americans.”
