VIDEO: Barack Obama Takes Office

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Barack Hussein Obama officially became the 44th President of the United States this morning, drawing an estimated crowd of 1 to 2 million to Washington, D.C., to witness his historic swearing-in and inaugural address.

Obama, 47, was sworn in by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. See video of the swearing-in ceremony below:

Afterward, Obama delivered a speech acknowledging the challenges that the nation faces but offering hope and confidence that they could be overcome.

"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," Obama noted. "Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet."

Pledging to take "bold and swift" action to right the economy and to "restore science to its rightful place" in order to improve the health-care system and address the nation's energy issues, Obama had strong words for the nay-sayers eyeing his Presidency pessimistically.

"What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them—that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply," Obama said.

Well put, Mr. President. Now get to work.

For the full text of Obama's speech, visit What Would Tyler Durden Do.