UP TO two million people are expected to gather today on the National Mall in Washington to watch the swearing-in of Barack Obama as the first African-American president of the United States.
Officials started sealing off streets and bridges last night in the biggest security operation the city has ever seen, as hundreds of thousands of people continued to pour in from all over the US.
Thousands of armed police, soldiers and plainclothes agents will be on the streets this morning, with snipers in position on rooftops near the Capitol building, where Mr Obama will take the oath of office.
Mr Obama will take the oath on the Bible used by Abraham Lincoln, the forerunner he has regularly invoked as an inspiration since he announced his bid for the White House two years ago.
The president-elect yesterday called on Americans to mark Martin Luther King Day with a day of service devoted to helping others in their community.
“It’s not a day just to pause and reflect – it’s a day to act,” Mr Obama said.
“I ask the American people to turn today’s efforts into an ongoing commitment to enriching the lives of others in their communities, their cities and their country. Tomorrow, we will come together as one people on the same mall where Dr King’s dream echoes still.”
Mr Obama was due last night to host dinners honouring former secretary of state Colin Powell, vice-president-elect Joe Biden and former presidential candidate John McCain.