Smasher
20-01-2009, 12:00 PM
Millions of people are gathering in the US capital to see Barack Obama sworn in as America's 44th president - and its first African-American leader.
Huge crowds are expected to pack Washington's National Mall as Mr Obama takes the oath of office at exactly 1200 (1700 GMT).
Unprecedented security is in place, with 40,000 security personnel either on duty or stand-by in the city.
Across the US, there is a sense of history being made, correspondents say.
Barack Obama to open new US era | BBC News (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/obama_inauguration/7839229.stm)
Huge crowds are expected to pack Washington's National Mall as Mr Obama takes the oath of office at exactly 1200 (1700 GMT).
Unprecedented security is in place, with 40,000 security personnel either on duty or stand-by in the city.
Across the US, there is a sense of history being made, correspondents say.
Barack Obama to open new US era | BBC News (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/obama_inauguration/7839229.stm)