Obama sworn in to 2nd term as U.S. President

Key Words:Barack Obama;swear in; U.S.;president;2nd term;

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama was officially sworn in to the second term at a private ceremony in the White House Sunday.

Obama took the oath of office officially for a second term shortly before noon at a low-key ceremony in the White House Blue Room, as required by the constitution.

U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts swore him in at the official ceremony, and will do it again at a ceremonial swearing-in on Monday. Four years ago, the two flubbed the 35-word oath at the inauguration ceremony.

The private ceremony was witnessed by the first family and a press poll, and broadcast by cable networks. First Lady Michelle Obama held the bible of her family for the president to swear in.

"Good job, Daddy," said Obama's daughter Sasha after the ceremony.

"I did it," replied Obama.

Earlier in the morning, Vice President Joe Biden was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotamayor at a private ceremony at the Naval Observatory, the vice presidential residence.

According to the VP's office, Biden personally selected Sotomayor, who was the first Hispanic and fourth female judge to administer an oath of office for presidents and vice presidents.

After Biden's swearing-in, Obama and Biden participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.

As the date fell on a Sunday, both Obama and Biden will be sworn in again at a public inauguration ceremony Monday. Obama will place his hand on two Bibles, one owned by President Lincoln, the other by Dr. Martin Luther King, and recite the presidential oath. He will also deliver his inaugural address at the ceremonial swearing-in.

This marks the seventh time that a U.S. president has taken the oath ceremonially on Monday following an Inauguration Day that fell on a Sunday, and also the second time the ceremonial swearing- in falls on the Martin Luther King Day.

An estimated 800,000 people may attend Monday's inauguration and parade, almost half of the crowd who flooded to the capital four years ago to watch the historic inauguration of the first African American President.

The three-day inauguration festivities kicked off Saturday. With Saturday dubbed as the National Day of Service, the first family began with a service event at a Washington D.C. area elementary school, joining forces with about 500 volunteers to complete a school makeover. The first lady also hosted a star- stubbed Kids' Inaugural Concert that honors the country's military families.

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