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Second inauguration of Barack Obama

The second inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States, marked the commencement of the second term of Barack Obama as President and Joe Biden as Vice President. A private swearing-in ceremony took place on Sunday, January 20, 2013 in the Blue Room of the White House. A public inauguration ceremony took place on Monday, January 21, 2013, at the United States Capitol building.

The inauguration theme was Faith in Americas Future, a phrase that draws upon the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation and the completion of the Capitol dome in 1863. The theme also stressed the perseverance and unity of the United States and echoed the Forward theme used in the closing months of Obamas reelection campaign. The inaugural events held in Washington, D.C. from January 19 to 21, 2013 included concerts, a national day of community service on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the swearing-in ceremony, luncheon and parade, inaugural balls, and the interfaith inaugural prayer service. The presidential oath was administered to Obama during his swearing-in ceremony on January 20 and 21, 2013 by Chief Justice of the United States John G. Roberts.

In his second inauguration address, Obama proclaimed that while freedom is a gift from God, it must be secured by His people here on Earth. He called for laws to combat climate change, enactment of immigration reform and gun control. Obama stated that more progress was needed on human rights and civil rights (including racial minority rights, womens rights, and LGBT rights). He vowed to promote democracy abroad and stated that the United States must be a source of hope to the poor, the sick, the marginalized, the victims of prejudice around the world. Additionally, the president vowed to keep existing alliances strong, emphasized the economic recovery and the end of wars, and stated that no one has a greater stake in a peaceful world than its most powerful nation. During the speech, Obama linked the Seneca Falls Convention, Selma to