Braving sub-zero temperature and patiently crossing the strict security barriers, hundreds of thousands of people on Tuesday converged at the National Mall here before dawn, hours ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of Barack Obama as the first black president of the United States.
An estimated two million people have thronged Washington to witness the momentous occasion, when an African-American would enter the White House, which itself was built by black slaves.
Old timers said rarely have they experienced such a mammoth cheering crowd gathered in Washington to attend a presidential inaugural.
In fact, long queues were seen outside the ticketing counter on metro stations, even before the windows were opened early morning.
To facilitate smooth flow of traffic, more trains were being run since the wee hours.
Roads in and around the Capitol Hill have been closed for traffic, except for emergency vehicles, so that only pedestrians can walk through them.
Local media reported hundreds of thousands of people had started arriving at the Mall at about 2 a.m. and by 6 in the morning had choked up all the entry points leading to the Mall – be it the metro rail or the security check points.
"I knew it was going to be crowded but I couldn't miss this," Adrienn Chu, 27, of the District's Columbia Heights neighborhood was quoted as saying by 'The Washington Times'.
"I sacrificed and came here. To me, this is very historic. I just wanted to be here," said Connie Grant of Birmingham, Alabama.
A large number of people are carrying American flag and chanting slogans like "Fired Up! Ready to Go!" and "Yes, We Can".
While many of them carried Obama posters and banners, a large number of the supporters of the new president were wearing jackets and hats with Obama's pictures on them. "Happy Obama Time", they screamed.
At New Carrollton, Metro employee Thomas Adams said the crowds were unprecedented in his four years working with the transit system -- with some people in line as early as 2.30 am, according to The Washington Post.
"We've got co-workers that can't even get into work, calling in saying they're going to be late. They're calling in all hands on deck," Adams was quoted as saying.
There were quite a large number of people who arrived in the city only last night in cars and chartered buses. With all hotel rooms booked and no place to go, thousands huddled in blankets and sleeping bags on the Mall, the Post reported.
Thousands of security personnel have been deployed to frisk people through the security check points across the entrance points leading through the National Mall and the inaugural parade route.
As the crowd started swelling, the security had a tough time in frisking them at a fast pace. As a result many of the check points witnessed a long queue, with thousands of people patiently waiting for their turn to clear their last hurdle.
