The Obama inauguration Following his historic election as the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama quickly shifted modes to prepare for the transition of power. He named key staff and met with President George W. Bush and former Republican presidential candidate John McCain.
Slideshow: President-elect Obama
December 16 2008
Barack Obama, newly nominated secretary of education Arne Duncan (R) and vice president-elect Joe Biden (L) speak to elementary school children at Dodge Renaissance Academy in Chicago. Obama called Duncan "the most hands-on of hands-on practitioners" of school reform
December 15 2008
Barack Obama introduces his energy and environmental team, including Nobel winner Stephen Chu, his nominee for secretary of energy, during a press conference in Chicago
December 9 2008
Barack Obama met with vice president-elect Joe Biden and former vice president Al Gore at Obama's transition office in Chicago, Illinois. A spokesman said the three men discussed energy and climate change and how policies in those areas could help the economy
November 26 2008
Barack Obama, his wife, Michelle, and daughter Malia pass out food at St. Columbanus Parrish and School in Chicago on the day before Thanksgiving
November 17 2008
Mr Obama met with former Republican presidential candidate John McCain in Chicago. In their first meeting since the election, the pair promised to 'take on bitter partisanship in Washington'
November 11 2008
Barack Obama and Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth lay a wreath at Chicago's Bronze Soldiers Memorial in honour of Veterans Day
November 10 2008
Barack Obama entered the Oval Office for the first time during a visit to the White House where he met with George W. Bush to discuss the transition of power
November 10 2008
The meeting between the outgoing president and his successor was expected to focus on the government's response to the financial crisis as well as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
November 10 2008
Hundreds of people gather outside the White House hoping to catch a glimpse of Barack Obama's arrival
November 10 2008
George and Laura Bush greet Barack and Michelle Obama at the White House
November 10 2008
Barack Obama drops off his daughters Malia and Sasha at their school in Chicago
November 7 2008
Workers construct viewing stands in front of the White House for Barack Obama's inauguration as the 44th president of the United States on January 20 2009
November 7 2008
At his first press conference following the election, Barack Obama said he would proceed with 'deliberate haste' to build his cabinet
November 7 2008
Barack Obama meets with his economic transition team, including Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm, Vice President-elect Joe Biden and former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker
November 6 2008
Visitors to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, leave messages of congratulations for Barack Obama
November 6 2008
A display at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, congratulates Barack Obama on his historic victory
November 5 2008
Hundreds of people flocked to the White House in Washington, DC, on election night to celebrate Barack Obama's win over John McCain
November 5 2008
President-elect Barack Obama and his family greet supporters at his victory rally in Chicago
