While as many as two million people were estimated to watch President Barack Obama's Inauguration in person in Washington D.C. Tuesday, the majority of Americans watched today's events from their homes, offices, schools and even theaters.
A busload of Winston-Salem State University students left the campus late last night. The bus is expected to be back late tonight.
Many students watched the inauguration from a large screen monitor set up on campus.
"I never in a million years thought it would happen," said WSSU senior Ray Johnson.
"Oh, it's so much," added fellow senior Ginnefra Daniels. "So much to put into words."
The inauguration brought back memories of Obama's election on Nov. 4, 2008.
"When he won on that historic night, we stormed the campus and gathered at the clock tour and yelling, 'yes we did, yes we did,'" said Student Government vice-president Whitney McCoy.
In Greensboro, officials at North Carolina A & T State University opened up the Stallings Ballroom on campus, giving students a chance to experience the inauguration as it happened live.
The Carousel Cinemas on Battleground Avenue also broadcast the inauguration from one of its screens for free.
"As soon as he was elected, I figured hey this is one of the most historic events in American history," said Tony Fernandez, Promotions Director for Carousel Cinemas.
Fernandez came up with the idea of the free screening as a way to give back to the community.
"Why shouldn't we open it up to the public? Let's have a bunch of neighbors come in and just have a good time."
Dan Thomas has been cooking lunch for about 30 years. Today, he stepped out from Smith Street Diner's kitchen for awhile to watch history being made.
"It was my first vote ever cast and I'm just hoping that President Obama can really do something," said Thomas.
The diner sits on the same site where Robinson's Restaurant served a meal for then President Bill Clinton. A bronze plaque honoring the event is prominently on display.
North Carolina leaders and supporters of President Barack Obama spoke of racial progress and high expectations Tuesday as they watched him make history by taking the oath of office.
"It leaves you almost speechless," said state Sen. Charlie Dannelly, 84. He and his wife, Rose, stood in front of the TV in their Charlotte home as a sign of respect as Obama was sworn in as the country's first black president.
"My body was full of goose pimples," said Dannelly, who is black.
Dannelly thought of the giant steps the United States had made since the days of civil rights activist the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.: "I thought about how proud I am, of how much our country has grown."
Obama's November election victory proved a milestone for North Carolina as well. He edged Republican nominee John McCain by 14,200 votes to give the state's electoral votes to a Democrat for the first time since 1976.
A busload of Winston-Salem State University students left the campus late last night. The bus is expected to be back late tonight.
Many students watched the inauguration from a large screen monitor set up on campus.
"I never in a million years thought it would happen," said WSSU senior Ray Johnson.
"Oh, it's so much," added fellow senior Ginnefra Daniels. "So much to put into words."
The inauguration brought back memories of Obama's election on Nov. 4, 2008.
"When he won on that historic night, we stormed the campus and gathered at the clock tour and yelling, 'yes we did, yes we did,'" said Student Government vice-president Whitney McCoy.
In Greensboro, officials at North Carolina A & T State University opened up the Stallings Ballroom on campus, giving students a chance to experience the inauguration as it happened live.
The Carousel Cinemas on Battleground Avenue also broadcast the inauguration from one of its screens for free.
"As soon as he was elected, I figured hey this is one of the most historic events in American history," said Tony Fernandez, Promotions Director for Carousel Cinemas.
Fernandez came up with the idea of the free screening as a way to give back to the community.
"Why shouldn't we open it up to the public? Let's have a bunch of neighbors come in and just have a good time."
Dan Thomas has been cooking lunch for about 30 years. Today, he stepped out from Smith Street Diner's kitchen for awhile to watch history being made.
"It was my first vote ever cast and I'm just hoping that President Obama can really do something," said Thomas.
The diner sits on the same site where Robinson's Restaurant served a meal for then President Bill Clinton. A bronze plaque honoring the event is prominently on display.
North Carolina leaders and supporters of President Barack Obama spoke of racial progress and high expectations Tuesday as they watched him make history by taking the oath of office.
"It leaves you almost speechless," said state Sen. Charlie Dannelly, 84. He and his wife, Rose, stood in front of the TV in their Charlotte home as a sign of respect as Obama was sworn in as the country's first black president.
"My body was full of goose pimples," said Dannelly, who is black.
Dannelly thought of the giant steps the United States had made since the days of civil rights activist the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.: "I thought about how proud I am, of how much our country has grown."
Obama's November election victory proved a milestone for North Carolina as well. He edged Republican nominee John McCain by 14,200 votes to give the state's electoral votes to a Democrat for the first time since 1976.
