WASHINGTON: Millions of Americans streamed into the heart of Washington DC by bus, boat, train, bike or foot in an unprecedented outpouring of joy and excitement for the inauguration of Barack Hussein Obama as the first African-American president in US history.

Clad in silk jackets embroidered with the word “Obama,” Obama-printed caps or wrapped in the American flag to ward off the sub-freezing temperatures, the revelers filled dozens of closed off streets and the National Mall up to six hours ahead of the official swearing-in ceremony.

Camilla Luqman, 29, had her five-month-old son firmly strapped to her chest as she waited in a long security line to enter the parade route along Pennsylvania Avenue between the Capitol building and the White House. She drove 15 hours from Atlanta to be witness to what she called “one of the biggest moments in the history of our country.”

“I wanted to be here with all my heart and I wanted to be able to tell my son that he was here on this moment when this great man became president,” Luqman said.

Anna Griffin, 46, and Sharon McNeely, 33, were calling out greetings at the top of their lungs as people streamed out of a crowded Metro subway station and onto the street: “Good Morning! It is a great day people! Put a smile on your faces!”

They were facing crowds that reflected the diversity of America, with all ethnic groups represented, especially African-Americans.

The two women from Washington said they had been up since 3 a.m. and had been informally greeting the crowds since 6 a.m. They said they would continue as long as their voices held up.

“I’m so happy because I never thought this day would come. Not in my lifetime. This is so amazing!” said Griffin.

McNeely said she had high hopes for the Obama presidency after the past eight years with President George W. Bush had left her “depressed” and economically uncertain. “I expect it to be much better. It has got to be getting better after what we’ve all been through in recent years,” she said.

A crowd of 1.2 million stretched for more than 3 km along the National Mall during Obama’s speech, which was greeted with thunderous applause that echoed from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol building.

Many participants, some with tears in their eyes, made comparisons to the “I Have a Dream Speech” delivered by Martin Luther King Jr. from the Lincoln Memorial.

Thousands of people were prevented from reaching the parade route along Pennsylvania Avenue because the area reached the capacity of 350,000 set by security officials.

“I am so moved by him. This is just such a beautiful day,” said Beatrice Johnson, 62, of St. Louis. “Barack is inspiring us and bringing the country together like no one I have ever seen before.”

Despite the frigid temperatures, hundreds of people crossed the river in water taxis and ferries. Many others rode bicycles into the city from kilometers away and parked their two-wheelers at specially designated “bike depots” where volunteers kept the bikes safe for the return trip. Up to 20,000 charter buses were parked in vast swaths of the city after disgorging their passengers.

Tom Gleason and his seven-year-old son Noah rode 13 km downtown from suburban Maryland to be at the inauguration. He said young Noah had been “really into” the election and wanted to be part of the celebration despite the crowds.

“Whatever we have to go through to get here is worth it for this day,” said one of a group of elderly women as they stood wall-to-wall in the Metro in their full winter coats.

More than 5,000 high-achieving students with the Youth Leadership Conference from places as far away as Australia, South Africa and Thailand were walking the crowded streets in matching bright yellow headbands embroidered with the phrase “The Inauguration of Barack Obama” on the front. They had come to Washington on a special inaugural trip from their home countries.

Larry Stock drove down to Connecticut for a different reason: to make money from the event. Stock was selling an array of Obama souvenirs, including $10 replicas of the tickets used to enter the White House for an official greeting with President Obama following the afternoon parade.

Other souvenirs of the day were easier to come by, including special plastic Metro tickets printed with a picture of Obama and the date. But the toughest tickets to come by were those to the 10 official inaugural balls at night. Tickets were selling for more than $1,000 at online sites for the black-tie events that would carry the new “Obama Nation” party deep into the night.