With his right hand in the air and his left hand resting on Abraham Lincoln’s Inaugural bible, Barack H. Obama took the oath of office today.

Lincoln’s bible was quite appropriate, as it was said that Obama drew inspiration for his Inaugural speech from Lincoln’s second Inaugural address, as well as John F. Kennedy’s first and only. During Obama’s 18-minute speech, he spoke of our history, how far we have grown as a country, the struggles we face and the good spirit of humanity that will help us through these hard times.

"The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness," he said in front of the million who braved the cold temperatures in front of Washington’s National Mall. Click here to read the complete speech.

In remembrance of this historic day, we found the Inaugural addresses of Lincoln and Kennedy. Read these two dearly remembered presidents’ speeches. Tell us: What do you think Lincoln and JFK would have said about Obama’s Inaugural address? 

On March 4, 1865, Lincoln delivered his second Inaugural address. At this time, a victory over the rebel states was at hand, slavery was dead and Lincoln was looking to a promisting future. Here is what he said:

FELLOW COUNTRYMEN: At this second appearing to take the oath of the presidential office, there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first. Then, a statement, somewhat in detail, of a course to be pursued, seemed fitting and proper. Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth, on every point and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention, and engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new could be presented. The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends, is as well known to the public as to myself; and it is, I trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all. With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.

On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago, all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it — all sought to avert it. While the inaugural address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war — seeking to dissolve the Union, and divide effects, by negotiation. Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive; and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came.

One-eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the southern part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar, and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was, somehow, the cause of the war. To strengthen, perpetuate and extend this interest, was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union, even by war; while the government claimed no right to do more, than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it. Neither party expected for the war, the magnitude, or the duration, which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with, or even before, the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God’s assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men’s faces; but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered — that of neither, has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes.

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