This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/obama_inauguration/7837193.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Obama honours Martin Luther King Obama honours Martin Luther King
(29 minutes later)
Americans are marking the annual public holiday in memory of black civil rights leader Martin Luther King - on the eve of Barack Obama's inauguration.Americans are marking the annual public holiday in memory of black civil rights leader Martin Luther King - on the eve of Barack Obama's inauguration.
The US president-elect will spend the day attending community projects in Washington in memory of Dr King, who was assassinated in 1968.The US president-elect will spend the day attending community projects in Washington in memory of Dr King, who was assassinated in 1968.
Mr Obama told hundreds of thousands at a rally on Sunday that "the dream of our founders will live on in our time".Mr Obama told hundreds of thousands at a rally on Sunday that "the dream of our founders will live on in our time".
Washington is braced for unprecedented crowds for Tuesday's inauguration.Washington is braced for unprecedented crowds for Tuesday's inauguration.
More than two million people are expected to attend the historic event.More than two million people are expected to attend the historic event.
'Great occasion''Great occasion'
Sunday's massive concert took place at the Lincoln Memorial - on the same steps that Martin Luther King made his "I Have A Dream" speech in 1963 to similar crowds.Sunday's massive concert took place at the Lincoln Memorial - on the same steps that Martin Luther King made his "I Have A Dream" speech in 1963 to similar crowds.
Concluding the concert, Mr Obama spoke of his hope that the US would overcome its toughest challenges in generations, saying "anything is possible in America". Martin Luther King made his famous speech at the Lincoln Memorial in 1963Concluding the concert, Mr Obama spoke of his hope that the US would overcome its toughest challenges in generations, saying "anything is possible in America". Martin Luther King made his famous speech at the Lincoln Memorial in 1963
"Despite the enormity of the task that lies ahead - I stand here today as hopeful as ever that the United States of America will endure - that the dream of our founders will live on in our time," he said."Despite the enormity of the task that lies ahead - I stand here today as hopeful as ever that the United States of America will endure - that the dream of our founders will live on in our time," he said.
Mr Obama and vice-president-elect Joe Biden were due to spend Monday working at a community project, although the details of their visits were being kept under wraps.Mr Obama and vice-president-elect Joe Biden were due to spend Monday working at a community project, although the details of their visits were being kept under wraps.
The president-elect has urged people to honour Dr King's legacy by volunteering for community service.The president-elect has urged people to honour Dr King's legacy by volunteering for community service.
It is a quirk of historical fate that Martin Luther King Day should fall the day before the US swears in its first black president, the BBC's Matthew Price in Birmingham, Alabama, says.It is a quirk of historical fate that Martin Luther King Day should fall the day before the US swears in its first black president, the BBC's Matthew Price in Birmingham, Alabama, says.
He said that for many in the southern states, Barack Obama's presidency will be the culmination of Dr King's dream - in which he foresaw a day when people would be judged not by the colour of their skin.He said that for many in the southern states, Barack Obama's presidency will be the culmination of Dr King's dream - in which he foresaw a day when people would be judged not by the colour of their skin.
Dr King's sister, Christine King Farris, told the BBC she had not expected to see a black president in her lifetime.Dr King's sister, Christine King Farris, told the BBC she had not expected to see a black president in her lifetime.
"No, I did not, I really didn't, in my lifetime I wasn't sure that that would happen. It will be a great occasion in both memories of what my brother was fighting for, so I'll certainly be thinking of him on that day," she said."No, I did not, I really didn't, in my lifetime I wasn't sure that that would happen. It will be a great occasion in both memories of what my brother was fighting for, so I'll certainly be thinking of him on that day," she said.
QueuesQueues
Despite the unusually cold weather, enormous crowds are expected for Tuesday's inauguration. Security chiefs say they are prepared for all eventualities. Some snow showers are forecast for Washington DC during Monday and temperatures are set to drop to well below freezing overnight.
Roads and bridges into Washington will be closed to traffic, with sniffer dogs on the subway. Security will keep a close eye on Tuesday's proceedings The weather for Tuesday is forecast to be colder than average, around 32F (0C).
INAUGURATION WEATHER Read the BBC weather forecast
Enormous crowds are expected for Tuesday's inauguration and security chiefs say they are prepared for all eventualities.
Roads and bridges into Washington will be closed to traffic, with sniffer dogs on the subway.
Thousands of armed police, soldiers and plainclothes agents will be on the streets, with snipers in position on rooftops near the Capitol building and along the parade route.Thousands of armed police, soldiers and plainclothes agents will be on the streets, with snipers in position on rooftops near the Capitol building and along the parade route.
Helicopters and fighter jets will patrol the skies, and coastguards will police the waterways.Helicopters and fighter jets will patrol the skies, and coastguards will police the waterways.
Those in charge of security had some idea of what to expect after dealing with the hundreds of thousands who descended on the capital for Sunday's event.Those in charge of security had some idea of what to expect after dealing with the hundreds of thousands who descended on the capital for Sunday's event.
The Washington Post reports that checkpoints were overwhelmed and queues stretched for blocks. Several thousand people were still trying to enter the area when Mr Obama appeared on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for the start of the show.The Washington Post reports that checkpoints were overwhelmed and queues stretched for blocks. Several thousand people were still trying to enter the area when Mr Obama appeared on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for the start of the show.
You can watch Tuesday's inauguration live on the BBC News website, as well as on BBC World News and BBC One.You can watch Tuesday's inauguration live on the BBC News website, as well as on BBC World News and BBC One.