A collection of US inauguration speeches from Washington to Obama. At the beginning of a term each new President of the United States delivers their inauguration speech to the nation. Here in one volume are collected together the inauguration speeches of all of America's leaders. From George Washington's stirring "sacred fire of liberty" to Kennedy's "ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country" and culminating with Obama's "[E]very so often, the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebearers, and true to our founding documents."