President Obama's inauguration marks beginning of change

Perhaps every presidential inauguration is a national breath of fresh air... and if that’s the case, then this inauguration was a wind current.

Buy this photo

At a time when so many Americans have hit a crossroad of disappointment, Tuesday brought a fire of hope to each American life.

More than anything, the new presidency and administration will mean change for this country... and Americans are in desperate need for a change.

With an ever-rising national unemployment rate, a staggering low stock market, increasing health care costs, and businesses struggling just to keep their doors open, Americans looked for a promise of new beginnings on Tuesday.

“Everywhere we look, there is work to be done,” President Barack Obama said during his inauguration speech. “Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.”

As the first African American to serve as Commander-in-Chief, Obama’s mere presence in the Oval Office is a statement of change, and the eradication of individual boundaries for each American.

Through all the country’s problems and adversities, Obama told Americans they must meet these new challenges with old characteristics of honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism.

And with the help of every American, Obama said, this generation of Americans will become one for the history books.

“Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met.”