Obama steps to door of White House — and history

Washington, Jan 20: Barack Obama stood at the threshold of the White House, summoning fellow Americans to join him in service as tens of thousands flocked to the nation's capital to celebrate his inauguration as the first black President.

"Tomorrow we will come together as one people on the same Mall where Dr. King's dream echoes still," said the President-elect, invoking the memory of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on the national holiday in his honour.

The 47-year-old former senator takes office at noon (8 pm IST) on Tuesday at a time of economic crisis at home and two wars overseas. But the challenges of the moment receded into the background for many who came for a chance to witness history.