Obama took the oath of office for his second term on two historic bibles – that of Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King. He looked confident and was seen smiling before his ceremonial swearing in and waved to the lakhs of cheering crowds.
"This is the celebration of our great democracy," said Senator Charles E Schumer, Chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, as he invited Obama and the Chief Justice for the ceremonial swearing in.
"I Barack Hussein Obama do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States," Obama said with his hand on the historic bibles being held by First Lady Michelle and the two daughters Sasha and Malia standing alongside.
"So help me God," he said. "Congratulations Mr President," the Chief Justice said.
Though there is no constitutional requirement for the use of a Bible during the swearing-in, Presidents have traditionally used Bibles for the ceremony, choosing a volume with personal or historical significance.
In 2009, President Obama became the first President sworn in using the Lincoln Bible since its initial use in 1861.
Vice President Joe Biden was sworn in by the Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
Delivering a speech after his inauguration, Obama asked a divided America to join as 'one nation' and 'one people'
"Now, more than ever, we must do these things together, as one nation and one people," Obama told the gathering.
He vowed to make the battle against climate change one of the priorities of his second term.
"We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations," he said.
