(AllHipHop News) When President Obama is ceremonially sworn into office tomorrow (January 21) in Washington D.C., he will use two bibles.
One bible is the bible that Martin Luther King Jr. owned and traveled with, and the other bible will be a bible owned by 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, which was used during his first inaugural ceremony.
Dr. King’s Bible is the same Bible used when Dr. King gave his first sermon at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in 1950.
It is also the same traveling Bible that Dr. King actually used just before he was assassinated in 1968.
Tomorrow when he is sworn into office, Obama will face the Lincoln Memorial where Dr. King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech 50 years ago.
“We know our father would be deeply moved to see President Obama take the oath of office using his Bible,” King’s children said in a statement provided by the inaugural committee. “His traveling Bible inspired him as he fought for freedom, justice and equality, and we hope it can be a source of strength for the president as he begins his second term.”
The theme of this year’s inauguration is “Our People, Our Future,” and it is believed that as many as 800,000 people will be on hand for the celebration that will ceremoniously swear Obama into office.
Earlier today, Obama was officially sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts, in a small ceremony in the Blue room of the White House using Michelle Obama’s family Bible.
Based on the Constitution’s 20th amendment, Obama’s first term officially ended at noon Sunday and his second begins subsequently there after.
“Two figures that I admire probably more than anyone in American history are Dr. King and President Lincoln. So for me to have the opportunity to be sworn in using the Blbles of these two men that I admire so deeply on the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 50th anniversary of the ‘March on Washington’ is I think fitting because their actions and I think the movements that they represent are the only reason its possible for me to inaugurated,” Obama explained in an official inaugural video preview.
Rappers from across the industry have weighed in on the historical significance of the inaugural ceremony and its activities as well.
“Obama got inauguration weekend feeling like All Star weekend, DC is turnt up!” Talib Kweli said via Twitter.
“”No matter what you want to do in your future, you have to WORK for it, train for it & learn for it” Barack Obama #letswin!” and inspired CTE’s Tone Trump said via Twitter.
“Good Sunday Morning To One And All.Special Shout Out, All The Folks In DC To Witness President Obama Putting Hand On Bibles Of Lincoln/King,” Spike Lee said.
Watch Obama below explaining the significance of this years inauguration:
