1 Million spectators gather for inauguration parade in Washington

2009-01-21 01:39:58 (GMT) (JusticeNewsFlash.com - Government, Justice News Flash)

Pride is flying in the colors of red, white and blue in the nation’s capital and all across the country as the new President Barack Obama has a long day of waving, smiling and greeting his public.

Richmond, Virginia (JusticeNewsFlash.Com) — Pride is flying in the colors of red, white and blue in the nation’s capital and all across the country as the new President Barack Obama has a long day of waving, smiling and greeting his public.

Over 1 million people pushed their way onto the National Mall in an effort to get a good view of the inauguration parade in route Tuesday to celebrate the America’s first black president in what has been called the biggest gathering ever in the nation’s capital.

The Associated Press reported that the estimate of the crowd gathered is based on photographs from the audience and comparisons with past events.

The excited and screaming crowd stretched approximately two miles — from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, where MLK delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

According to the Associated Press, “The bulk of the crowd was jammed into the area between the west front of the Capitol and the Washington Monument, where people stood shoulder-to-shoulder as Barack Obama was sworn in as the nation’s 44th president. The crowd was so tightly packed that some people complained they felt claustrophobic.”

The parade route is 1.5-mile long, taking off at Pennsylvania Avenue and ending in front of the White House. Many spectators were clothed in heavy parkas and mittens to brave the cold while many gathered under blankets.

The Secret Service has been on site throughout the entire duration of the inauguration and festivities.