Obama will use 2 Bibles when taking oath of office
Source: Agencies |
January 11, 2013, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
US President Barack Obama is putting a symbolic twist on a time-honored tradition, taking the oath of office for his second term with his hand placed not on a single Bible but on two - one owned by Martin Luther King Jr and one by Abraham Lincoln.
The inclusion of King's Bible is particularly significant since the inauguration comes on January 21, the federal holiday in honor of the civil rights leader, who delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech 50 years ago at the Lincoln Memorial. Obama will be facing the memorial as he takes the oath. King's Bible, which his children say he used early in his career as a preacher, has never been part of a presidential inauguration.
The selection of the pair of Bibles announced yesterday is richly symbolic of the struggle for equality in America, beginning with Lincoln's emancipation of slaves 150 years ago this month, through King's leadership of the civil rights movement, and to Obama becoming the nation's first black president.
Inaugural planners say Obama plans to place his left hand on the stacked Bibles held by first lady Michelle Obama as he raises his right hand to repeat the oath administered by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. It has not been determined which Bible will be on top, but King's is larger, so it may need to be on the bottom.
Obama used the Lincoln Bible while taking the oath four years ago - the first time it had been used since the 16th president's inauguration in 1861. Obama's inaugural committee says the president plans to use the first lady's family's Bible for a private swearing-in at the White House on Sunday, January 20. Public presidential inaugurations traditionally aren't held on Sundays, even though the Constitution states a president's new term begins automatically at noon on the 20th.
King's children said their father would have been proud.
"We know our father would be deeply moved to see President Obama take the oath of office using his Bible," King's children said in a statement. "His traveling Bible inspired him as he fought for freedom, justice and equality, and we hope it can be a source of strength for the president as he begins his second term."
(AP)
Inauguration tickets
Tickets to US President Barack Obama's inauguration this month are supposed to be free, but they're being sold on eBay and Craigslist for up to US$2,000 apiece.
Efforts by congressional offices and the Presidential Inaugural Committee, which are distributing the tickets, haven't stopped online entrepreneurs.
Even though enthusiasm isn't as high as it was for Obama's historic inauguration four years ago, memories of the incredible crowd for that sprawling outdoor event seem to have driven up prices for this year.
The inclusion of King's Bible is particularly significant since the inauguration comes on January 21, the federal holiday in honor of the civil rights leader, who delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech 50 years ago at the Lincoln Memorial. Obama will be facing the memorial as he takes the oath. King's Bible, which his children say he used early in his career as a preacher, has never been part of a presidential inauguration.
The selection of the pair of Bibles announced yesterday is richly symbolic of the struggle for equality in America, beginning with Lincoln's emancipation of slaves 150 years ago this month, through King's leadership of the civil rights movement, and to Obama becoming the nation's first black president.
Inaugural planners say Obama plans to place his left hand on the stacked Bibles held by first lady Michelle Obama as he raises his right hand to repeat the oath administered by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. It has not been determined which Bible will be on top, but King's is larger, so it may need to be on the bottom.
Obama used the Lincoln Bible while taking the oath four years ago - the first time it had been used since the 16th president's inauguration in 1861. Obama's inaugural committee says the president plans to use the first lady's family's Bible for a private swearing-in at the White House on Sunday, January 20. Public presidential inaugurations traditionally aren't held on Sundays, even though the Constitution states a president's new term begins automatically at noon on the 20th.
King's children said their father would have been proud.
"We know our father would be deeply moved to see President Obama take the oath of office using his Bible," King's children said in a statement. "His traveling Bible inspired him as he fought for freedom, justice and equality, and we hope it can be a source of strength for the president as he begins his second term."
(AP)
Inauguration tickets
Tickets to US President Barack Obama's inauguration this month are supposed to be free, but they're being sold on eBay and Craigslist for up to US$2,000 apiece.
Efforts by congressional offices and the Presidential Inaugural Committee, which are distributing the tickets, haven't stopped online entrepreneurs.
Even though enthusiasm isn't as high as it was for Obama's historic inauguration four years ago, memories of the incredible crowd for that sprawling outdoor event seem to have driven up prices for this year.
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