Washington: Barcak Obama was publicly sworn in for his second term president of the United States on Monday, placing his left hand on Bibles once owned by Martin Luther King and Abraham Lincoln.
Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath under the West Front of the US Capitol building in front of a huge crowd of several hundred thousand flag waving well-wishers and a television audience of millions.
Live Updates:
1653 GMT: The president is honored with a 21-gun salute, the echo of which caught some far back in the crowd by surprise.
1650 GMT: Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts administers the oath of office and Obama is sworn in for a second term with his hand on two Bibles. One of the Bibles belonged to president Abraham Lincoln and the other, slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.
1649 GMT: Singer-songwriter James Taylor, a long-time Obama supporter, steps to the microphone with his guitar to sing “America the Beautiful.”
1646 GMT: Biden takes the oath as vice president with his hand on his family Bible.
1645 GMT: Senator Lamar Alexander introduces Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to adminster the oath of office to Vice President Joe Biden.
1641 GMT: The US Park Police say they have closed the National Mall to more spectators due to crowds. They do not release estimates of crowd sizes in Washington.
1634 GMT: Activist Myrlie Evers-Williams is offering an invocation.  She is the widow of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evars and the first lay person and the first woman to be given the honor.
‘We come at this time to ask blessings upon our leaders. The president, vice president, members of congress, all elected and appointed officials, of the United States of America. We are here to ask blessings upon our armed forces, blessings upon all who contribute to the essence of the American spirit, the American dream. The opportunity to become whatever our mankind, womankind, allows us to be. This is the promise of America.”
After she closes, the president holds his eyes closed in prayer for several seconds and finally can be seen whispering “Amen.”
1628 GMT: Senator Chuck Shumer, the chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies opens the official ceremony.
This swearing-in is symbolic only. Because the constitution dictates that the president’s term ends at noon on January 20, Obama was officially sworn-in at the White House on Sunday. By tradition, if Inauguration Day falls on a Sunday, the public events are held the next day.
1624 GMT: Grinning, Obama is announced and walks to the platform. He kisses all the women in his family and Jill Biden. He also greets other dignitaries and Supreme Court justices. He is wearing a light blue tie, dark suit and overcoat. He is seated in front of his family.
1620 GMT: As the president prepares to walk onto the platform, TV cameras show hundreds of thousands of flag-waving supporters cheering from the National Mall. Although the crowd was expected to be half the record 1.8 million people gathered for his historic swearing in in 2009, a significant number has gathered nonetheless.
They can be heard shouting “Obama, Obama” from the back as the Marine band plays.
1619 GMT: Biden is welcomed to the platform and joins his family.
1616 GMT: First Lady Michelle Obama is announced. She is wearing is wearing a navy Thom Browne coat and dress. The custom fabric was made for the occasion, inspired by a the style of a man’s silk tie. The belt she is wearing is from J.Crew and her necklace was designed by Cathy Waterman. She is also wearing J.Crew shoes. She added purple leather gloves that echo the outfits of her daughters. At the end of the Inaugural festivities, the outfit and accompanying accessories will go to the National Archives.
 Thom Browne is a favorite of the first lady’s. She wore one of his dresses at the Democratic National Convention and recycled it for the last presidential debate. She wore gloves and shoes from J. Crew in 2009, as did both girls.
Browne, who is in Paris for his menswear show was yesterday, told Women’s Wear Daily, says from Paris “amazing and humbling.”
1610 GMT: Obama’s two daughters, 14-year-old Malia and 11-year-old Sasha, are introduced along with their grandmother Marian Robinson.
Both girls are in shades of purple. Malia Obama is wearing a J.Crew ensemble. Sasha Obama is wearing a Kate Spade coat and dress. Both wore outfits from J. Crew in 2009.
 1606 GMT: Vice President Joe Biden’s three children, Beau, Hunter and Ashley are introduced to the stage. Beau is holding a massive Bible that has been in the Biden family since the 1890s and is decorated with a Celtic cross. Biden has used that Bible every time he has taken an oath of office.
 1603 GMT: A-list celebrities are already on the scene to perform at the ceremony, including recording artists Beyonce and Kelly Clarkson. Long-time Obama backer James Taylor is also due to perform. He sang at the Democratic National Convention as well.
1558 GMT: Former president Jimmy Carter is being welcomed to the platform, along with his wife Rosalyn. Bill Clinton is also attending the ceremony with his wife, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Remarkably, former president George W. Bush declined to attend, citing the poor health of his father, former president George H. W. Bush, who recently left a Houston, Texas hospital after a two-month stay.
1555 GMT: Obama has just arrived at the US Capitol for his ceremonial swearing in for his second and final term.
WELCOME TO AFP’S LIVE REPORT on the second Inauguration of Barack Obama as president of the United States.
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