WASHINGTON - With a quick and simple swearing-in ceremony at the White House, President Obama ended his first term in office Sunday and embarked on another four years of leadership.
The president stood next to his wife, Michelle, and their daughters, Sasha and Malia. Chief Justice John Roberts administered the 35-word oath, more smoothly than he did four years ago, in front of cameras and a small group of Obama's family and friends.
The intimate ceremony was a quirk of the calendar and an adherence to tradition. The 20th Amendment to the Constitution states that a president's term ends at noon Jan. 20. When that date falls on the Sunday, presidents have delayed the public ceremony a day and were sworn in at the White House.
