Excitement over the American Presidential inauguration, the day when the President-elect formally assumes office, had been brewing for months - some even have gone as far as to say that ‘Obamamania’ has already taken over the world!

Barack Obama took his presidential oath on the 20^th January, thus becoming the 44^th President of the United States and the first ever African-American to hold the post, and millions watched the historic moment – on television, on the Internet, and in person.

News websites across the world and in Greece provided exhaustively full coverage of the ceremony and the celebrations in honor of President Obama, and news and community websites were flooded with comments of support, excitement, and delight at the promise such a day might hold, not only for the future of the USA, but for the world as well.

However, along with the feelings of support, many expressed worry that the hype surrounding inauguration day is in bad taste in these difficult financial times.

“All that money for nothing,” says Stella, a Kokkini resident. “The large sum that was obviously spent could have been put to better use.”

Others considered the historic connotations of this inauguration: “Having grown up in the segregated south, I never would have thought this day would come during my lifetime. I am delighted it has," says Kay from Gournes, an American ex-pat and former teacher. “I am not expecting miracles from Barack Obama, but he is a step forward to mending the enormous damage the administration of the last eight years has caused.”

A record 1.8 million people watched the inauguration and participated in the festivities in Washington DC; but now that the party is over, even more people all over the world wait to see what will come next.