Get This Party Started

1 Million Gather for Inauguration

Much more muted than the 1.8 million who came in ’08.

President Obama has taken his oath, delivered his inaugural address, and walked the parade route, and estimates are now coming in reporting that upwards of one million people gathered to watch the festivities. That’s a paltry number in comparison with Obama’s first public swearing-in, which had a record 1.8 million attendees, though it could still be the biggest crowd ever to see a second inauguration. The president was formally sworn in during an intimate, private ceremony on Sunday—the constitutionally mandated date for inauguration. Later tonight, the Obamas will keep the party going late into the night with two inaugural balls.