Is is fair to say that this inauguration will be the biggest one in history?

[mtnsnake]

Let's face it - For the time being, most people seem to like Obama almost as much as they can't stand Bush.

There are those of us who can't wait to see Obama get into office so he can right the wrongs of the last 8 miserable years.

There are those who simply hate George Bush's guts and can't wait to see his sorry ass put on mothballs.

Then there's the historical significance of it. Our first Black president is about to be sworn in.

When you add all that up, is it any wonder that the amount of anticipation and hype for this event are of epic proportions?

This is going to be a week to remember for the rest of our lives.

[Kahuna]

1. Yep. The biggest ever!

:bounce:

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

2. Yes indeed.

[Texasgal]

3. I told my Mother the other day

That this is my generations JFK.

I agree... this one I will always remember!

[samplegirl]

12. Absolutely!!!

[TTUBatfan2008]

4. I think it's tied...

with Washington's, which was huge obviously because it represented that we were a legit country.

[Kahuna]

5. This one is the biggest because of our size since Washington. Of course

Washington's is the first most important. But this one is the second most important and it's also the BIGGEST.

[Parker CA]

6. This will be a week that is read about in books and taught to children when we are all long gone.

We are all truly living in an enormously historic moment in time. People will talk about this week many generations down the road and try to imagine what it felt like. Feel it. Remember it. Incredible.

[mtnsnake]

7. "Feel it. Remember it. Incredible"

That is excellent advice for all. We have to slow down sometimes and savor the moment.

[EraOfResponsibility]

8. journalists who said they have covered many inaugurations

are saying they've never seen anything like this.

[mtnsnake]

9. Hey, it's not only an inauguration, but it's also a celebration of monumental proportions

I've never seen anything like this before either.

[DCBob]

10. Yes. The most significant in our lifetimes I am sure.

But the inauguration is just a ceremony -- on Wednesday the real change begins.

[stillcool]

11. It is for me...

and until he is sworn in, it won't be real. I am so accustomed to not counting my chickens.

[Bucky]

13. Relative to national size, the 1789 procession was bigger.

This year's celebration has a lot in common with the first inauguration--people embracing hope and a very progressive form of change. Washington's journey from Alexandria Virginia to New York City was compared to a coronation, but it was really more like a five hundred mile long parade involving something like 10% of the nation's citizens waving their new leader on his way.

But that doesn't diminish the importance of this year's event. Renewal of our national purpose is more or less the whole point of having an elective form of government.

If you mean in terms of absolute size, I'll bet the 2016 one will be bigger than this year's. Americans are always trying to top themselves.