WASHINGTON -- President-elect Barack Obama joined a vast throng Sunday at a roaring, rollicking pre-inauguration celebration staged before marble monuments to past heroes. "Anything is possible in America," declared the man who will confront economic crisis and two wars when he takes office.
"Despite the enormity of the task that lies ahead — I stand here today as hopeful as ever that the United States of America will endure — that the dream of our founders will live on in our time," the president-elect said in remarks prepared for the conclusion of a musical extravaganza that featured U2, Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen and other stars.
Obama and his family held the seats of honor at the event, and a crowd of untold size spilled from the base of the Lincoln Memorial toward the Washington Monument several blocks away in the cold, gray afternoon of mid-January.
For those who really wanted to celebrate President-elect Barack Obama's arrival to D.C. with the thousands of people who have congregated Sunday on the National Mall, but thought it was just a tad too cold, here's how you can still feel like you're there live: Tune in to HBO.com, or listen to the live audio at National Public Radio.
Spectators filled the area in front of the Lincoln Memorial, and extended along the mall on both sides of the reflecting pool.
Tiger Woods, who has tried to stay out of politics during his ascent to one of the world's most famous athletes, was one of the latest guests added to the list of celebrities who will speak at the Lincoln Memorial.
"I am honored that I was invited to this historic event and look forward to participating in Sunday's festivities," Woods said.
Organizers of "We Are One" did not say what Woods would do at the Lincoln Memorial celebration.
Invocation
The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Episcopal bishop
Guests
- Jack Black
- Steve Carell
- Rosario Dawson
- Jamie Foxx
- Tom Hanks
- Ashley Judd
- Martin Luther King III
- Queen Latifah
- Laura Linney
- Kal Penn
- Denzel Washington
- Forest Whitaker
- Tiger Woods
- And more
Special Performances
- Beyonce
- Mary J. Blige
- Jon Bon Jovi
- Garth Brooks
- Sheryl Crow
- Renee Fleming
- Master Sgt. Caleb Green of the U.S. Army
- Josh Groban
- Herbie Hancock
- Heather Headley
- Bettye LaVette
- John Legend
- Jennifer Nettles
- John Mellencamp
- Pete Seeger
- Shakira
- Bruce Springsteen
- James Taylor
- U2
- Usher
- will.i.am
- Stevie Wonder
Broadcast
You can watch the event replayed at 7 p.m. or 11:30 p.m. HBO has instructed its television service providers to make the concert available to all customers for free. Send your pictures from the concert or any inaugural event around town to isee@nbcwashington.com.
