Take shorthand notes as you listen critically to part of President Barack Obama's inaugural address.

Barack Obama sworn in as the 44th president of the United States and the first African-American president on January 20, 2009. In the speech, he argues that he has become a president in the middle of crisis, but is full of hope for the future. Some of the main ideas he addresses in the speech are:

Americans should be faithful to ideals. America is facing a crisis. Americans are united. It has taken a lot of time to reach greatness. Americans must now work hard to maintain this state. Americans will improve the economy and education.