The classical music played for millions of people watching President Barack Obama’s inauguration was not the live performance it appeared to be.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts delivered the oath to Obama on Wednesday night at the White House — a rare do-over. The surprise moment came in response to Tuesday’s much-noticed stumble, when Roberts got the words of the oath a little off, which prompted Obama to do so, too.

People throughout Charlottesville gathered Tuesday in groups large and small to watch TV broadcasts of the first African-American being sworn in as the president of the United States.

Charlottesville residents Debbie Campbell and Chris Murray waited for more than four hours in the bitter cold to get through the security gates at Barack Obama’s inauguration.

All the themes of the Obama story coalesced on the National Mall Tuesday.

Cheers, jeers and tears rang, hissed and flowed Tuesday as a pride of Barack Obama supporters partied their candidate into the Oval Office.

Waving cardboard red, white and blue “W’‘s, thousands gathered in Midland’s town square Tuesday to welcome former President George W. Bush and his wife to their post-presidential home in Texas.

Passion was as plentiful as two dozen vociferous and animated proponents of the new president reacted to the images on a big-screen TV.

It was a day of high spirits — jarred by sudden concern about the health of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, a legendary Democrat who is suffering from brain cancer.

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done.

Sens. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., and Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., have been taken from an inauguration luncheon for President Barack Obama.

Photos of President Obama’s inauguration speech.

“To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.“

Today, when he walks to the stage at his own High Noon to step up, put his down and swear-in, Mr. Obama will face the toughest task perhaps any President-elect has ever stared down.

Obama and his family attended a private service at St. John’s Episcopal Church, a tradition for those about to become president. The family of Vice President-elect Joe Biden also attended.