I missed the first one. When Barack Hussein Obama was sworn in as our first African-American president with an agenda that I believed passionately in, I watched history unfold on a flat screen.

I was not going to miss the second time around. In fact, to make sure I gave myself the most memorable of experiences, I chose to go to the Capitol as part of a radio broadcast team, giving me the kind of 20-feet away access that laypersons – and even fellow journalists – would only dream of.

We arrived in the middle of the night and I honestly did not know what to expect. Would this be the moment of a lifetime?  Or would this be, as all the pundits were claiming, a disappointing repeat with less people and less enthusiasm and less meaning?

Let me say this: Folks turned up to be a part of the 2nd inauguration of Barack Hussein Obama with hope in their hearts and a dream in their eyes. America was alive that day in Washington, what makes us great pulsed through the men & women, boys & girls, young & old who had to be exactly where they were in that moment. Exactly where he was.

“We the people,” the president proclaimed over and over, not just as a patriotic turn of phrase, but as a unifying call-to-arms that, still, a few days later, I can’t shake the promise of.

“With the Bush inaugural we were the 1%,” an African-American Secret Service veteran remarked to me.  Staring at the wonderful plurality of the crowd in front of us both, with proud black and brown faces everywhere, he did not want anyone to underestimate how special that was. His 4th inaugural, he clearly remembers looking at the nearly all-white crowd that showed up not that long ago.

“And it probably would’ve gone back to exactly that if Romney won…”

His voice trailed off, but the thought didn’t linger, because our President, our own Black Shining President, just emerged to take his oath in front of us all…

@smokey

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On January 21 and 22, President Barack Obama was sworn in for his second term in the 57th Presidential Inauguration. But you don’t have to have been there to get a front row seat to the making of history. NewsOne‘s Senior Editor, Abena Agyeman-Fisher, is your eyes and ears with a diary blog of photos, video, and unforgettable moments that put you in the center of history.

Throughout the inauguration, no matter who I interviewed the sentiment was the same: Obama supporters came from near and far to witness and be a part of history.

In all my life, I’ve never experienced seeing so many people emotionally and ideologically synchronized: When it was time for prayer, I looked around me only to see thousands of heads bowed. When it was time to be jubilant, the crowd roared in unison for the spectacle they beheld.

And the smiles.

Old, young, Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, suburban, urban — EVERYONE beamed as they held on to poles to get a better view, sat on curbs as they took a rest from the long day of events, or danced as key stars sang in tribute.

With this being my final log in my inaugural journey, I share with you a montage of indelible moments, interviews, speeches, and performances that I will cherish always. Enjoy!

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After press, including the L.A. Times, sitting close to the ‘President’s Own’ band noted that the musicians were not really playing their instruments, the blasphemous question was asked: Did Beyonce pull a ‘Milli-Vanilli’?

“We did prerecord it and it was Beyoncé’s decision at the last minute to go with the prerecorded version,” United States Marine Band representative, Kristin DuBois, confirmed to Times of London. “We prerecorded all music as a matter of course and have done since time immemorial,” she said. “This is our 54th inauguration .… There is no question of there not being any music — it’s not because the performer cannot do it.”

“All music is pre-recorded for the ceremony because there are so many eventualities and conditions that day,” DuBois said to Page Six. “We performed, live, the band. But we received last-minute word that Beyonce was going to use the pre-recorded vocal track. Those were the instructions we were given. We don’t know the reason why.”

Sh*t? Meet Fan.

That’s all that was needed for the internet to explode. Countless .gifs, memes and social media conversations have been dedicated to Bey-augural-Gate, with the hard-core Beyonce fans refusing to even entertain the notion; and her detractors — popularly known as ‘haters’ even though most intelligent people got the memo never to use that word again — are exploiting this prime opportunity to prove, that Beyonce is faker than John Boehner’s  tears, and his tan.

It was pretty much a done deal that Beyonce lip-synced her way into Inaugural history, until Jezebel received the following tip and the video below:

PROOF BEYONCE SANG LIVE

Alot of folks claim she sang over a pre-recorded track. In this video, unlike CNN, ABC, Etc, this recording isn’t using the official mic-feed. The camera man was using his own mic, and he/she were so close that he could hear the mic feed over the speakers, AND Beyoncé’s actual voice. That echo is the feedback, which is why she took her ear piece out

yes there’s a back up track, but she is singing full out. Don’t believe the Beytheists.

So now we’re back to square one: Did she or didn’t she? And more importantly, does it really matter?

Illuminati rumors begin in 5..4…3…2…

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Credit: AP

Monday night, I attended one of two balls that were held to celebrate President Barack Obama‘s swearing in on Monday afternoon. Called “The Inaugural Ball,” this much-sought-after event followed the “Commander-in-Chief” Ball, which, like the Kids’ Inaugural Ball that took place on Saturday, was started to honor the contributions of the military and their families by former President George W. Bush in 2005.

RELATED: Inauguration Attendees Unite For Obama, Country

The two official balls are a stark contrast to the 10 official balls that were held back in 2009. According to ABC News, 2013′s balls are the fewest amount of balls held since incumbent President Dwight Eisenhower‘s inaugural celebrations in 1953.

While the Inaugural Ball was expected to hold more than 35,000 guests, with President Obama, First Lady Michelle, Vice President Joe Biden, and Biden’s wife, Jill, in attendance, the event didn’t disappoint as one of the final soirees in the weekend-long Inaugural festivities.

Similar to the National Day of Service, the ball had stations with each region of the country represented, i.e., the Northeast, Midwest, and South (pictured above). At the stations, one could enjoy a light snack or purchase some alcohol for the night, with most opting for the alcohol. There were also places where guests could pose and take pictures against the presidential seal.

And you’ll never guess who was the MC for the night: none other than old-school-rapper-turned-DJ D-Nice (pictured below), who held it down on the ones and twos with Michael Jackson and Rihanna to keep the crowd on its feet.

While many in the press were quite run down from a full day — and weekend — of activities, Alicia Keys got everyone riled up by tweaking her hit “Girl on Fire” to commemorate President Obama’s second term, singing:

“Obama’s on Fire

Obama’s on Fire

He’s Walking on Fire

He’s walking on fire

Obama’s on fire

Whoaaa

Everybody stares as he goes by

Because they can see the flames in his eye

Watch him as he lights up the night

Everybody knows that Michelle is his girl,

Together they run the world

And they going to let it burn, baby, burn, baby

Obama’s on Fire….

Watch Keys’ powerful performance here:

One of the acts to follow Keys was country singer Brad Paisley with a number of crowd favorites, and new pop trio fun. performed their rousing hits, such as “We Are Young” and “Some Nights.”

Practically ragged from all the excitement, attendants regained their energy when President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle (pictured at top) were introduced onstage with Jennifer Hudson serenading their first and only dance.

While Michelle looked stately and distinguished during the swearing in, she looked the part of a leading lady with a red flowing dress by 2009-inauguration designer Jason Wu that accentuated her small waist.

Oscar-winning actress and singer Hudson joined the loving pair on the stage, singing Al Green‘s “Let Stay Together,” with Mrs. Obama beaming as her husband embraced her and glided smoothly across the stage.

Watch the President and First Lady dance here:

Naturally, the event, which was held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, was teeming with celebrities. Singer John Legend, actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, gymnast Gabby Douglas (pictured below), and “The Wire” actor Jamie Hector were just some of the stars that were in the building.

Credit all pictures: Abena Agyeman-Fisher

Watch some of the dancing here:

Indeed, the evening was a night to behold with the great music, beautiful guests, and an awesomely cool First family — yet another night to cherish forever and always. Hey, I could get used to this!

Look at exclusive pictures of the 2013 Inaugural Ball here:

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Stars Pull Out The Stops For Military Families At Kids’ Inauguration Ball [VIDEO]

Thousands Give Back On National Day Of Service [VIDEO]

On January 21 and 22, President Barack Obama will be sworn in for his second term in the 57th Presidential Inauguration. But you don’t have to be there to get a front row seat to the making of history. NewsOne‘s Senior Editor, Abena Agyeman-Fisher, will act as your eyes and ears with a diary blog that will include photos, video, and unforgettable moments that put you in the center of history. Enjoy!

In 2009, the nation marveled at this country’s first African-American President, after a stunning win against then-Republican presidential nominee John McCain.

Now after an equally contentious and even more dramatic win against 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, President Obama was sworn in for the second time on the steps of Capitol Hill on Monday.

RELATED: Stars Pull Out The Stops For Military Families At Kids’ Inauguration Ball [VIDEO]

At the President’s first inauguration, a reported record-breaking 1.8 million people attended the event.  And while some predicted that this second inauguration wouldn’t be as robust as the first one, reports indicate that Monday’s inauguration still had nearly 1 million attendees.

RELATED: Thousands Give Back On National Day Of Service [VIDEO]

Standing shoulder to shoulder throughout the National Mall, inauguration participants were both jubilant and cheerful about witnessing President Obama in the White House for four more years.

And the Obama loyals were as diverse as those who officially took part in the Inaugural pomp and circumstance. Just as my daughter, Mirembe, and son, Nalima, craned their necks to get a glimpse of daughters Malia and Sasha in their royal blue and pink overcoats, so did other pint-sized Obama fans, who ranged in age and race from chubby-fingered, wide-eyed boys and girls to preteens and teens who donned chic Obama tees, beanies, and wrist bands like they were at their favorite artist’s concert.

Conversely, the elderly — some in wheelchairs, some with walkers, and others still decisively on foot — also represented for the twice-in-a-lifetime affair.

And of course the mall was filled with everyone in between. I spoke with men and women from Atlanta, California, and Michigan, and they all had one thing in common: they had come from both near and far to take part in Obama’s historic second swearing in.

With the Capitol steps in the near distance, the crowd cheered when political powerhouse and Vice President Joe Biden and his family were shown descending down the steps in to position.

Obvious crowd favorites, though, included First Lady Michelle Obama and the aforementioned First Daughters. Brief sightings of Jay-Z caused two onlookers to playfully argue:

“Why is Jay-Z here?”

“Do you know Beyonce?”

“Yeah…so?”

“Well, if you know Beyonce, then you should know why Jay-Z is here. He wouldn’t be here otherwise.” [Laughter]

While the crowd maintained a respectful silence during Civil Rights activist Myrlie Evers-Williams benediction, almost everyone broke out in laughter when cameras caught First Daughter Sasha yawning shortly after.

Order was restored, though, once the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir sang their rousing rendition of “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and even though hundreds of thousands all stood together with food cartons strewn about and vendors yelling, “Buy your ‘I was there’ souvenirs here,” not a breath could be heard as President Obama repeated the time-worn words of 44 American Presidents before him as Chief Justice John Roberts swore him in.

Watch the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir perform here:

Afterward, Obama supporters clapped in celebration at witnessing such an unforgettable event, with even babies seemingly crying out in unison from their strollers.

Watch a Maryland man tell why he decided to come to the Inauguration:

An admired orator, President Obama had much of the crowd in his hand as he resurrected the words of Dr. Martin L. King Jr., with a number of Black women sounding like they were hearing the gospel from their church pews on Sunday and punctuating each point accordingly:

“We do not believe that in this country freedom is reserved for the lucky, or happiness for the few.”

“Uh-huh!”

“We recognize that no matter how responsibly we live our lives, any one of us at any time may face a job loss, or a sudden illness, or a home swept away in a terrible storm.”

“Tell the truth, Obama!”

“The commitments we make to each other through Medicare and Medicaid and Social Security, these things do not sap our initiative, they strengthen us.”

“Preach!”

By Beyonce’s song, it was clear that the Americans who chose to fly, drive, and walk to the nation’s capitol did so because they collectively believe and trust in the President’s ability to lead and propel this nation forward.

Amen.

Look at pictures of the Inauguration and Parade here:

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First it was the big reveal of First Lady Michelle Obama’s gorgeous bangs; then 11-year-old Sasha Obama was caught yawning widely during her father’s big Inaugural speech; then, and this is a huge then, the First Lady of the United States was caught on camera rolling her eyes at Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio).

We’re talking Executive Side-Eye.

The Eye Roll Seen ‘Round The World happened during the Inauguration Day luncheon. President Obama and Boehner, whose relationship publicly ping-ponged from cordial to contentious during the tense fiscal cliff negotiations,  were engaged in a “for the crowd” jovial exchange when Mr. Speaker tapped the First Lady — apparently to see if she wanted to join in the “See, we’re all friends here” game.

She didn’t.

See the exchange below:

One thing they could agree on, though, is that they didn’t want to prolong their time together.

“Michelle and the speaker of the House came to a meeting of the minds that I may be delaying the proceedings too much,” Obama said. “And so I’m just going to be extraordinarily brief and say thank you.”

GIF CREDIT: The Atlantic

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President Obama: Michelle’s Bangs ‘Most Significant Event Of Inaugural’ [VIDEO]

Google Homepage Honors Dr. Martin L. King Jr. [VIDEO]