Adrian Arancibia, City College English Professor

My young daughter, Victoria, and my wife, Delia, went with me to witness history. Victoria watched as long as she could in the 18-degree cold. There was something in the air. Something that tugged at your eye. Something that made you hug your family and friends. A giddy smile, a wave -- perhaps a positive comment. There were so many families there. Families that understood the importance of the moment. Humble families, some with fathers pointing to a distant stage or building, stating yes, this is a country where you can dream.

Greg Sanchez, City College Financial Aid Director

I have been a supporter of Barack Obama from the beginning. I decided to go last June and booked my hotel room then, way before he was the Democratic nominee and before he won the election. I just had a feeling. His charisma, eloquence, and yes, his audacity of hope touched me on a very personal level.

I went on my own and arrived on Sunday (January18). I walked so much that day. I went to the National Mall and got fairly close as I could to the Capitol. I also toured the Museums of American History and the Native American museum.

I was able to meet MSNBC host Keith Olbermann and Senator Robert Kennedy, Jr. at the outdoor MSNBC-TV studio set up on the Mall.

There were vendors everywhere selling buttons, T-shirts, calendars, caps -- you name it, they had it. Up to two million people were expected for the inauguration, and I asked myself, why am I here? This was a historic moment. And something compelled me to be there.

I have to admit, on election night when it was announced that Obama had won, I was moved to tears. It wasn’t so much because he is our first African-American president, although that is truly significant. It was more for who he is as a man.

Heaven knows we need a leader, who will do the right thing for the right reasons. Who understands the need for stem cell research, who understands global warming, who understands that we are not an isolated country and need our allies around the world.

So on January 20, 2009, I was there to pray for Barack Obama, for his wisdom, his compassion, his leadership and his audacity of hope!

Ticey Hosley, Ph.D., Miramar College TRIO Program Counselor

I watched from the National Mall along with two million others! It was an amazing event. I cannot adequately express what it meant to me to attend this historic event. I was overwhelmed with emotion as I stood among millions of people all celebrating the fact that a new day in America has finally arrived.

I will never forget the sign that a young man held up with the statement, we have overcome. The unity in a crowd so diverse was clear. It did not matter if you were White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, or any other race as we were all there for a common purpose. I thought about Martin Luther King and how he fought so hard for freedom and equality. We owe a great thanks to him. I am proud that I will be able to share my story with my grandchildren; that I was a part of history as I watched the United States first African-American President sworn into office. Words certainly minimize the events and the emotion of that day."

Prof. Mike Ornelas, Mesa College Chicano Studies Department

I attended inauguration events, primarily the parade, with my wife, Eva Salas.

The inaugural atmosphere was festive, alive, energetic, highly positive, and people were very hopeful for the promise of the next four years. For me, it was an unforgettable experience. It was around 15 degrees above zero that day but that did not deter the enthusiasm and happiness of the amazingly well behaved crowd. We met people from all over the country, and they were embracing and friendly to a couple of Latinos from California.

At the spot that we occupied for the parade, people were stacked15 deep along the parade route. We both feel so fortunate to have been there in this moment of history among so many people that fully appreciated its historic importance.

My wife and I were able to see President Obama in person as he and Michelle Obama exited their vehicle for the first time during the inaugural parade along Pennsylvania Avenue. I was able to capture the moment from a distance with my video camera.

Christine Stone, Mid-City Campus ESL Professor

I attended the inauguration with my friend Chris Young, who got seats for the ceremony because she had been a voter at the California Electoral College.

We had a wonderful time. I had my advanced ESL students sign a congratulations card, and I delivered it while I was In the Capitol. My students have learned about the election process, and were happy to see all of my photos and learn about my experience when I returned.

The funny part was I took the students’ card to the gate and tried to give it to a security guard. He did not approach the gate but told me neither he nor anyone else could take anything, so I ended up having to mail the card to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. I laughed because the guard seemed afraid to even walk over to me. I am only five-foot-two.

(Prof. Stone and her friend appeared briefly on a CBS Evening News segment about the crowds in attendance.) http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4741350n%3fsource=search_video

Candice Lopez, City College Graphic Design Professor

(attended with husband Rafael Lopez, City guest lecturer, international artist and creator of the now-famous Barack Obama poster -- SEE "Nuestra Voz" IMMEDIATELY BELOW)

After we got home from Washington we were still fired up and believe today is a new start for our country and the world. Imagine the adventure of connecting with two million others from around the globe who believe in hope as we do…The nun who flew in from Africa and wrapped herself in the Kenyan flag to stay warm. Children, teenagers, people with wheelchairs and walkers and everyone so patient, so tolerant and happy. The people we kissed and hugged and sang with who for a day were not strangers but the closest of friends.

When I was 11, my family took me to Florida and we watched the first rocket headed for the moon. The magic of that moment came flooding back to me, I felt like a child and we were filled with the realization that anything is again possible! When President Obama spoke the crowd fell silent; you could feel the electricity in the air.

President Obama stated, "What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character than giving our all to a difficult task."

"Take heart as we will turn this economy around, we will renew ourselves in this world and leave it a much better place for our children. We experienced the sea of believers and heed the President’s call to dust ourselves off and remake America. Thank you to all who believed and made this day happen."

Monique T. Schlichtman, District Director, Grants & Contracts

My husband and I decided to tour the inaugural grounds the day before the big event. And we were glad that we did. There was such excitement in the air as throngs of people gathered to take pictures. There wasn’t much to see as the workmen prepared the grounds for the big event; but in knowing that in less than 24 hours history would be made where we stood was enough.

We saw a Haitian marching band (if you want to call it that) parading through the grounds playing music of hope. It appeared as if this group of young people was determined to become part of history so they marched, played, and celebrated with a crowd that had gathered around them.

Military personnel took pictures with strangers and with their peers. We walked through the Vietnam memorial and saw a Vietnam veteran take pictures with two men who were in active duty. It didn’t appear as if they knew each other, but they obviously shared a common bond. Hundreds of people, who were passing through, waited patiently and silently as these men gathered for a picture. Once the camera flashed, we all continued walking, touched by the site of humanity and camaraderie.

It was a wonderful sight to see as Americans gathered in eager expectation of what was to come and as we celebrated the hope that we all shared.

Vern Hodge, Ed.D, Miramar College Interim Director, Trio Programs

(Accompanied by wife, Dr. Kathleen Hodge, President of Fullerton College.)

On Sunday, January 18, we joined about one million people walking to the Concert at the Lincoln Memorial. It was outstanding! People were happy and excited. At the end of the concert we walked to the Army-Navy Memorial Building to attend a reception for Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, who provided us with tickets to the Inauguration. We had Purple Standing, which placed us in the front center of the Capitol Building, just behind the seating area. At the reception we were given our tickets, thus saving us from having to stand in line on Monday to get the tickets. Some people stood in line Monday for up to five hours to get into the House and Senate Offices to pick-up their tickets.

On Monday we took the Metro and walked the route that we thought we needed to take to get to the Purple Gate on Tuesday. It was much easier Monday! We then walked the Mall until 7:00 pm, talking to the hordes of interesting people. I have never seen a happier crowd of people.

Everyone was experiencing this sense of pride while waiting for this change in the Executive Branch of government. It has never changed like this!

For us, Inauguration Day started at 4:00 am, and by 5:00 am we were on a bus headed for the Metro Station in Vienna, Virginia. The line at the station wrapped around the parking structure and it took another hour to get on the Metro. Even though the Metro cars were packed from the start we had to stop at every station. It took about two hours to make it to the Metro Center. We then walked and stood in security lines for the next four hours.

In all, it took us almost seven hours, but we did get to the Purple Section in time to witness the entire Inauguration. The thunderous explosions from the cannons, and the cheers after the swearing-in ceremony was wonderful, and the crowd was ecstatic. The mood changed to a sense of awe during Obama’s speech. He was loved by the crowd throughout the Mall.

The music, the speeches and the entire spirit of the day was overwhelming. The crowd had no central descriptor. They were old, young, rich, poor, humble, Americans, foreigners, and every ethnicity. It seemed like a true melting pot of the American spirit. When it was over no one wanted to leave. Everyone stood and talked to everyone else. It seemed to be a new beginning.

I have a new faith in the greatness of our country and the people.

Parvine Ghaffari, Ph.D., Miramar College History Professor

I was very fortunate to be able to attend the historic event. It was really magnificent, almost beyond description. I look forward to telling my students about it.

Angela Romero, Miramar College History Professor

I was among those lucky to attend the D.C. inauguration, and have a fabulous photo -- well, many of them -- but the highlight is a shot of the G. W. Bush helicopter flying the former president from the Capitol. (Photo not yet submitted)

Trudy Gerald, City College Associate Dean, CACT

I am happy to share that I did in fact attend the inauguration and it was an absolutely fantastic experience.

Christian Picou, College Service Officer

It was the experience of a lifetime. I’m glad that I was lucky enough to witness it with the other millions of Americans who were there screaming beside me.

Esther Salazar, Continuing Education Adjunct Professor

I met my long-time friend, Dr. Gertrude Ward, Houston, Texas. We met at the Dulles Airport (outside Washington) and we were hosted by my sister and brother-in-law who live in Great Falls, VA.

It was a really great time. The atmosphere was extremely upbeat. Everyone we met was very friendly.