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Thousands mark start of Obama's second term
Jan 21st 2013, 13:04

  • Quiet official ceremonies for Obama, Biden precede Capitol swearing-in on Monday
  • Many of same challenges remain from Obama's first term
  • Obama has vowed to press for overhaul of immigration policies, find new ways to boost economy
  • Crowds expected to be more modest than nearly 2 million who turned out in 2009

Follow our real-time Inauguration Day live blog at cnn.com/conversation.

Washington (CNN) -- A day after formally beginning his second term, President Barack Obama on Monday takes part in the full trappings of his inauguration by reciting the oath of office in front of a crowd expected to number between 800,000 and 900,000 people.

The nation's first African-American president also will become only the 17th U.S. leader to deliver a second inaugural address before leading the traditional parade up Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.

Amid the pomp and ceremony, with red, white and blue bunting festooned throughout central Washington, the event symbolizes American democracy with its peaceful extension of power based on last November's election that returned Obama to the White House.

And now Obama begins the second half of his presidency with the opportunity to make it more historic but facing some of the same challenges that he struggled with in the first half.

President Barack Obama takes the oath of office from U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts, as first lady Michelle Obama holds the Bible and daughters Malia, 14, and Sasha, 11, look on in the Blue Room of the White House on Sunday, January 20. Both Obama and Vice President Joe Biden were officially sworn in Sunday, with a public ceremony on Monday.President Barack Obama takes the oath of office from U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts, as first lady Michelle Obama holds the Bible and daughters Malia, 14, and Sasha, 11, look on in the Blue Room of the White House on Sunday, January 20. Both Obama and Vice President Joe Biden were officially sworn in Sunday, with a public ceremony on Monday.
Roberts arrives to administer the oath of office to Obama at the White House on Sunday.Roberts arrives to administer the oath of office to Obama at the White House on Sunday.
Michelle Obama hugs her husband after he took the oath of office on Sunday.Michelle Obama hugs her husband after he took the oath of office on Sunday.
A stage technician from Maryland Sound International sets up microphones for the presidential inauguration at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Sunday. A stage technician from Maryland Sound International sets up microphones for the presidential inauguration at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Sunday.
David Carr poses with one of the Barack Obama doll heads he is selling as Washington prepares on Sunday for Obama's second inauguration.David Carr poses with one of the Barack Obama doll heads he is selling as Washington prepares on Sunday for Obama's second inauguration.
A chorus rehearses at the U.S. Capitol building on Sunday.A chorus rehearses at the U.S. Capitol building on Sunday.
Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer of New York greets people at the Capitol on Sunday.Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer of New York greets people at the Capitol on Sunday.
Christian evangelist Mary Clement of Silver Spring, Maryland, sings and reads from her Bible as she walks along Pennsylvania Avenue outside the White House on Sunday.Christian evangelist Mary Clement of Silver Spring, Maryland, sings and reads from her Bible as she walks along Pennsylvania Avenue outside the White House on Sunday.
Obama and Biden lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on January 20.Obama and Biden lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on January 20.
An American flag waves at the U.S. Capitol building on January 20 as Washington prepares for Obama's second inauguration. An American flag waves at the U.S. Capitol building on January 20 as Washington prepares for Obama's second inauguration.
Biden takes the oath of office from U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor at the Naval Observatory on Sunday as his wife, Jill Biden, right, looks on.Biden takes the oath of office from U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor at the Naval Observatory on Sunday as his wife, Jill Biden, right, looks on.
Workers prepare the parade route in front of the U.S. Capitol building on Sunday.Workers prepare the parade route in front of the U.S. Capitol building on Sunday.
 The Smithsonian's Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture is decoratively lit for the 2013 Inaugural Youth Ball on Saturday, January 19, in Washington. The Smithsonian's Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture is decoratively lit for the 2013 Inaugural Youth Ball on Saturday, January 19, in Washington.
The inaugural reviewing stand is under construction in front of the White House on Friday, January 18.The inaugural reviewing stand is under construction in front of the White House on Friday, January 18.
A souvenir salesman displays inauguration memorabilia on sale on Friday.A souvenir salesman displays inauguration memorabilia on sale on Friday.
Workers prepare the U.S. Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony on Friday.Workers prepare the U.S. Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony on Friday.
Best of 2013 inauguration
Best of 2013 inauguration
Best of 2013 inauguration
Best of 2013 inauguration
Photos: Best of 2013 inauguration
Best of 2013 inauguration
Best of 2013 inauguration
Best of 2013 inauguration
Photos: Best of 2013 inauguration
Best of 2013 inauguration
Best of 2013 inauguration
Best of 2013 inauguration
Best of 2013 inauguration
Best of 2013 inauguration
Best of 2013 inauguration
Best of 2013 inauguration
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The inauguration: Behind the scenes

Satisfying the constitutional obligation to be sworn in on January 20, Obama and Vice President Joe Biden took quiet oaths the day before Monday's public ceremony at the Capitol.

The tone of the inaugural address will be "hopeful," Obama senior adviser David Plouffe told CNN, explaining that the president would "remind the country that our founding principles and values still can guide us in a changing and modern world."

Plouffe said that "the challenges and opportunities are enormous" in the president's second term, and that those challenges would be confronted as soon as the inaugural celebrations play out.

Reality of second-term presidencies

An estimated 1.8 million onlookers jammed the National Mall for Obama's first inauguration. The smaller crowd this time around reflects the reality of second-term presidencies, when the novelty and expectations of a new leader have been replaced with the familiarity and experiences of the first four years.

For Obama, that difference is even sharper. His historic ascendancy to the White House in 2008 came with soaring public hopes and expectations for a new kind of governance that would close the vast partisan gulf developed in recent decades.

However, a litany of challenges including an inherited economic recession and repeated battles with congressional Republicans over budgets and spending only hardened the opposing positions in Washington.

Obama's signature achievements, including major reforms of the health care industry and Wall Street, became symbols of political division, with opponents constantly accusing him of hindering needed economic recovery.

Obama to acknowledge divided Washington in inaugural address

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A second-term Obama has vowed to press for an overhaul of the nation's immigration policies and new ways to boost the sputtering economy, proposals that are bound to spark battles with his Republican rivals, and oversee the implementation of Obamacare.

And the shootings at a Connecticut elementary school last month put the divisive issue of gun control on his immediate agenda.

CNN polling released Sunday showed a majority of Americans -- 54% -- believe Obama will be an outstanding or above average president in his second term, while 43% said he'd be poor or below average.

And while overall, seven in 10 Americans hope the president's policies succeed, only four in 10 Republicans feel that way, with 52% hoping that Obama will fail.

13 reasons to follow the inauguration on CNN platforms

Sunday swearing-in

Obama's swearing-in on Sunday took place in the ornate Blue Room, an oval-shaped reception space in the president's official residence, where he was joined by his wife, Michelle, and his two daughters.

Obama placed his left hand on a Bible held by Michelle Obama that was from her family. He then raised his right hand.

Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath, his third time to hold that honor. After Roberts flubbed the order of words during the public ceremony in 2009, a do-over took place in the White House Map Room the next day to erase any question that Obama was officially the president.

Obamas, Bidens participate in National Day of Service

Roberts didn't have any trouble with the oath this time around. He read from a white note card. Slash marks where Roberts paused to have Obama repeat the words were clearly visible.

The event took less than a minute and Obama didn't make any formal remarks or statements.

He did take a moment to hug his wife and daughters, exclaiming: "I did it!"

Justice Sonia Sotomayor performed the honors for Biden at his home at the Naval Observatory in Washington, where the vice president's extended family and a few Cabinet officials gathered to watch the ceremony.

Katy Perry brings 'Fireworks' to inauguration kids' concert

Both Obama and Biden went to Arlington National Cemetery after Biden's swearing-in for a traditional wreath laying.

The president and his family also attended services celebrating the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. at Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, one of the most historic churches in Washington.

Sunday evening, the Obamas watched Latino acts at "In Performance at the Kennedy Center," which was followed by the "Let Freedom Ring" concert. The "Red, White and Blue Inaugural Ball" and "Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball" closed out Sunday's activities.

Obama also thanked donors at an event at the National Building Museum, telling them, "When we put our shoulder to the wheel of history, it moves forward."

But Obama also told them that his remarks were going to be short, given the speech he would be delivering on Monday, saying, "There are a limited amount of good lines, and I don't want to use them all up."

Inauguration activities kicked off on Saturday with the Obamas and Biden and his wife, Jill, leading volunteers across the country in National Day of Service Activities.

Later Saturday, singer Katy Perry headlined a concert for children of military families and Washington school children, hosted by Michelle Obama and Jill Biden. Singer Usher and the cast of the TV show "Glee" were among others who performed.

Viewer's guide to the inauguration

CNN's Tom Cohen, Dana Davidsen, Brianna Keilar, Kevin Liptak, Dan Lothian and Gregory Wallace contributed to this report.

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