THANK YOU BARACK YOU MADE IT! OBRIGADO BARACK- VIESTE, VISTE E VENCESTE!!

Obama: 'The Time Has Come...'

Barack Obama has made his historic speech as the first black President of the USA and the nation's 44th leader - in front of huge crowds in Washington. Barack Obama makes history Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the country are at Capitol Hill to see the inauguration - and millions more across the world are watching on televisions.

New Vice-President Joe Biden has also taken his oath of office. But the loudest cheers roared after Mr Obama was sworn-in.

Speaking to a captivated crowd, the new President talked of "war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred" and the country's suffering economy ?? "a consequence of greed and irresponsibility".

In a rousing speech, punctuated by deafening cheers, he said: "On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord."

And he went on: "The time has come... to choose our better history... to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation... the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."

And after listing his ambitions for the US, he said: "Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America. For everywhere we look, there is work to be done."

More to follow...