***BREAKING- Obama Becomes 44th President of the US***

Washington — Shortly after noon EST (1700 GMT) January 20, 2009 Barack Obama took the presidential oath of office, becoming the 44th president and first African-American leader of the United States.

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts administered the oath of office to Obama on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. “I will faithfully execute the office of the president of the United States,” Obama said as he placed his hand on the Bible last used to inaugurate President Abraham Lincoln in 1861.

Cheers rang out as onlookers, who packed a three-kilometer piece of land stretching from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, waved American flags.

[link to www.america.gov]