Barack Obama Inauguration Day Information and Trivia

Inauguration Day is Tuesday, January 20, 2009, at noon. Barack Obama will be sworn in as the nation's 44th president. He will also be America's first African-American president. Here are a few of the more interesting, latest facts regarding the upcoming Inauguration Day, including webcam information, most recent crowd estimates, big name entertainers at the Inauguration, and more!

Inauguration Day Construction Webcam

To see construction progress of the inaugural podium, check out the Washington Post webcam here.

Inauguration Day Crowd Estimate Cut in Half

The latest crowd estimate for the number of people expected to be in downtown Washington during the inauguration is "more likely to be around 2 million" rather than the 4 to 5 million estimated by Washington D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty [D], according to the Washington Post. City officials reassessed the estimate based partly upon charter bus service reservations and airline bookings for the time period.

Obama Will Swear-In using Abraham Lincoln's Inauguration Bible

According to the Huffington Post, Barack Obama will take the oath of office by swearing-in using the very same Bible that Lincoln used for his first Inauguration in 1861. It will be the first time that the Lincoln Bible has been used again and it was generously provided by the Library of Congress. Obama was said to be honored to be using it.

Inauguration Day Oath of Office

For the record, here is the oath that is recited by the elected officials:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God."

Inauguration Day TV Coverage

The cable news networks will cover the event. BET and TV One are planning to offer full coverage as well. They are planning around the clock coverage and will provide details from many different venues, according to dvrepublic.com. Other Inauguration Day events include a parade, breakfast, lunch, the Inauguration, entertainment, and the balls that night. It is reported that Obama will be attending 10 balls. It is not yet known if his daughter's will attend any of the events.

Inauguration Day Entertainment

According to an Associated Press article on msnbc.com, Aretha Franklin will sing, Pastor Rick Warren will pray, Yo-Yo Ma will play the cello, and violinist Itzhak Perlman will perform during Barack Obama's Inauguration. John Williams also composed an original piece of music for the event.