Today in History - January 20 | Hollywood icon's life cut short by horror disease
While the USA prepares to inaugurate president-elect Donald Trump for his second term, today also marks an important historic milestone.
On a chilly day in Washington on January 20, 2009, Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States of America.
Obama became the first African-American person to become a US president.
His first inauguration became the most-viewed televised inauguration since Ronald Reagan's in 1981.
A staggering 40 million Americans watched Obama become their president for the next four years.
Obama had beaten Arizona Senator John McCain in the 2008 presidential election.
Though it was 16 years ago, Obama's speech reflected many of the issues still faced by Americans today.
"That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred," he said.
"Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age.
"Homes have been lost, jobs shed, businesses shuttered."
Obama only hinted at the historic element of his presidency once during his speech.
He told Americans "a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath."
Obama went on to win a second term in the 2012 US presidential election, claiming victory over Republican candidate Mitt Romney.
In 2017, Obama was succeeded by Donald Trump.
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