Close to two million gathered in Washington DC on Tuesday 20th January to watch history unfold before their eyes as Barack Obama became the first African American President of the United States. A large number of former presidents among which Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter as well as celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Dustin Hoffman and Denzel Washington attended the inauguration ceremony of the US’s 44th President.

In an inaugural speech that drew upon many inspirations including John F Kennedy, Shakespeare and Thomas Paine, Obama acknowledged the challenges that America is currently facing – the continuing conflict in Iraq, the crumbling economy among others but declared that these challenges …”will be met.” Calling on American citizens to face these realities he declared that the future of the country relied upon their “…faith and determination…” He invoked America’s past – those who fought, suffered and sacrificed to build America, to make America and asked the American people to continue on this path and take responsibility “…a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task. This is the price and promise of citizenship.” This message is certain to echo throughout the globe, especially Ireland, in the light of the present economic crisis and deepening recession.

In a speech that promoted unity among races and religions he sent a message of conciliation and respect to the Muslim world declaring that they will “…seek a new way forward…” and urged greater co-operation between nations, especially in reference to Iraq and Afghanistan, and America must play a role in “…ushering in a new era of peace.” Peace, determination, faith, hope, courage – these were the foundations of Obama’s speech and gave us a vision of his government and leadership.

On his first day in power Obama has sought the suspension all military tribunal at Guantanamo Bay – the motion, is the first step of his electoral promise to close down the controversial detention camp. The move has been seen as positive with the tribunals highly criticised – the military acting as judge, jury and executioner and will give the government 120 days to review the system by which the detainees are tried.