This New Year is particularly important to our nation as we welcome a new leader. Barack Obama will be the 44^th president of the United States. At noon on January 20^th, President-elect Obama will take an oath and then be sworn into office by Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. The event takes place on the west front of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C. Inauguration ceremonies are filled with pomp and circumstance and include the symbolic changing of guards, salutes to the new Commander-In-Chief, celebratory parades, and a festive grand ball.

One of the most significant aspects of the ceremony will be the new president’s declaration of his administration’s intent. John F. Kennedy’s legendary inauguration speech made a distinct impression when he stated, “Ask not what your country can country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” As the ceremony closes, and with tradition, our new president will accept an invitation to lunch, extended by United States Congress. And then, finally, he will head to his new home—the White House.