Barack Obama is sworn in as the first Black president of the United States before a record crowd at the U.S. Capitol.
At a Glance
- Date
- 20 January 2009
- Location
- Washington, D.C.
- Key people
- Barack Obama, Michelle Obama
- Category
- Politics & Government
- Source
- Presidential Inaugural records, January 20, 2009 · Library of Congress
What It Meant Then
It marked the first time an African American held the nation's highest office.
What It Means Now
Obama's presidency reshaped expectations of Black political possibility in America.
Also on 20 January
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Barack Obama Inaugurated as 44th President.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/barack-obama-inaugurated-as-44th-president/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Barack Obama Inaugurated as 44th President. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/barack-obama-inaugurated-as-44th-president/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Barack Obama Inaugurated as 44th President.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/barack-obama-inaugurated-as-44th-president/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.