Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Eager Crowds Swarm Before Dawn

Rush hour at 4:30am; thousands flood mall

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 20, 2009 7:04 AM CST
Email

(Newser) – As late night became early morning in Washington, eager crowds were already forming outside Metro stops, the Washington Post reports. By 4:30am, some trains were reminiscent of rush hour; by 5:30, the line outside one station was 2 miles long. Meanwhile, thousands poured into the Mall, bundled into sleeping bags in the 20-degree chill.

“We've got co-workers that can't even get into work, calling in saying they're going to be late. They're calling in all hands on deck,” said a Metro worker. But people were jovial as they gathered, yelling “Yes we can” as they huddled to squeeze more people onto trains. When one woman departed the train for her job, others chanted “Skip work! Skip work! Obama! Obama!” “Thank you for your patience," said a driver during a delay. "It will be worth it."

Crowds gather early on the National Mall for the swearing-in ceremony for President-elect Barack Obama in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.
Crowds gather early on the National Mall for the swearing-in ceremony for President-elect Barack Obama in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
A woman wears Obama paraphernalia in New York's Pennsylvania Station as she waits to board an Amtrak train to Washington, D.C., to attend the inauguration Tuesday morning.
A woman wears Obama paraphernalia in New York's Pennsylvania Station as she waits to board an Amtrak train to Washington, D.C., to attend the inauguration Tuesday morning.   (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
People wear Obama paraphernalia as they wait in New York's Pennsylvania Station to board an Amtrak train to Washington, D.C., to attend the inauguration Tuesday morning, Jan. 20, 2009.
People wear Obama paraphernalia as they wait in New York's Pennsylvania Station to board an Amtrak train to Washington, D.C., to attend the inauguration Tuesday morning, Jan. 20, 2009.   (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The sun rises on the US Capitol and the already crowded National Mall on Inauguration Day as people continue to gather in anticipation of the swearing-in of Barack Obama Jan. 20, 2009.
The sun rises on the US Capitol and the already crowded National Mall on Inauguration Day as people continue to gather in anticipation of the swearing-in of Barack Obama Jan. 20, 2009.   (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
The sun rises on the already crowded National Mall on Inauguration Day as people continue to gather in anticipation of the swearing-in of Barack Obama on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009 in Washington.
The sun rises on the already crowded National Mall on Inauguration Day as people continue to gather in anticipation of the swearing-in of Barack Obama on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009 in Washington.   (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
People keep warm near a steam vent on the National Mall for the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama, in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.
People keep warm near a steam vent on the National Mall for the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama, in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Inauguration Day spectators crowd around the giant video screens on the National Mall Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, in Washington as they await the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Barack Obama.
Inauguration Day spectators crowd around the giant video screens on the National Mall Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, in Washington as they await the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Barack Obama.   (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
People camp out at the Washington Monument on the National Mall in anticipation of the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.
People camp out at the Washington Monument on the National Mall in anticipation of the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
People run towards the security checkpoints to gain access to the National Mall on Inauguration Day Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, in Washington in anticipation of the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Barack Obama.
People run towards the security checkpoints to gain access to the National Mall on Inauguration Day Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, in Washington in anticipation of the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect...   (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
People meander on the National Mall on Inauguration Day Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, in Washington as they await the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Barack Obama.
People meander on the National Mall on Inauguration Day Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, in Washington as they await the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Barack Obama.   (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
People keep warm near a steam vent on the National Mall for the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.
People keep warm near a steam vent on the National Mall for the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Journalists gather in a camera stand at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, early Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, as they wait for the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden.
Journalists gather in a camera stand at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, early Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, as they wait for the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden.   (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Crowds gather early on the National Mall by the Washington Monument for the swearing-in ceremony for President-elect Barack Obama in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.
Crowds gather early on the National Mall by the Washington Monument for the swearing-in ceremony for President-elect Barack Obama in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Traffic, cold don't stop party
Washington Post

Politics • US

 
Barack Obama • inauguration • Washington, DC • President Obama • Inauguration Day

More Newser Stories

'Inaugurabilia' Reaps $2M for Ceremonies

Not Everyone 'Fawning' Over Prez Obama

Obama Grabs Highest TV Ratings Since Reagan

'Just to Be Safe,' Obama Should Redo Oath: Experts

Lines, Arctic Temps... and a Miracle: Keillor
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne