Jonathan from Miami, FL

Part of the fun of being here is talking with people who have traveled from all over the country to be a part of this moment in history. Often, when “history” happens, we don’t know it because it slips by disguised as an ordinary moment. You don’t find out until afterwards that something important actually happened while you were there.

But other times, you absolutely know history is being made and you always remember where you were and what you were doing when you collided with it.  

In the early afternoon of  November 22, 1963 I headed through the halls in Westbury Jr. High on my way to core. Jeffrey Tanin came up to me and said, “Did you hear? President Kennedy was just shot!” Jeffrey often made up stuff, so, I didn’t believe him. But a minute later when I walked into Mr. Kirsch’s class and saw his expression, I realized that for once Jeffrey told the truth.

Caitlin, VA

People are here in DC now because they want to be part of an incredibly joyful moment in history so they’ll never forget what happened here on January 20, 2009. Here are a few we’ve met so far:

Caitlin (age 22, waitress at the Coyote Grille & Cantina in Fairfax, Virginia):  I’ve never been to an Inauguration and this is the first election I ever voted in.  This is a really big moment in history because of  who we are electing into office. I think it would be a shame if I didn’t go, living so close to the nation’s capital.

From San Diego, CA

From Florida, but prepared for the cold

From South Carolina

From South Carolina

David talking with two men, one from SE Washington State, the other from Arizona

Duncan and Jessica, artists from Indianapolis, IN

Michael from Indianapolis, IN, won the ticket lottery from his congressman.