WASHINGTON, D.C. # A sea of humanity flooded onto the National Mall this morning, as Americans flocked to witness the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.

Well before dawn, crowds packed into subway stations, bus stops and onto sidewalks to ride or trudge to mall for the noon swearing in of Obama, the nation's first African-American president.

Police, National Guard troops and an Army of inaugural volunteers in red woolen caps and scarves funneled the spectators through the streets around the mall.

Helicopters fluttered overhead and police on mounted horses clopped through intersections, as thousands of people trooped past barricades and temporary fencing.
It was cold on the mall, with temperatures in the 20s and a light breeze that worked its way under woolen scarves and down parkas.

But the crowd was upbeat, breaking into spontaneous cheers and singing "When the Saints Come Marching In," and other tunes as they pressed toward the mall.

Vendors hawked t-shirts, buttons, posters and other Obama memorabilia from nearly every street corner, and many folks appointed themselves unofficial ambassadors for the event.

"Welcome to Obama Town," one man called from behind a barricade as people streamed onto the mall. "Welcome to history."

E-mail this entry to a friend