Inauguration brings thousands to Washington D.C.

And they weren't just bystanders. Both women gleefully partook in all the Inauguration Day hoopla, along with at least 500,000 other attendees.

They frantically waived tiny American flags high above their heads, and they chanted along as singer-songwriter James Taylor, a five-time Grammy Award winner, sung a melodious version of "America the Beautiful."

They also shrieked with delight as President Barack Obama officially accepted a second term in office.

"This is my first inauguration and I'm excited," said Givins, sandwiched between supporters at The National Mall, the open-park viewing area stretching a mile from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime historic event that I needed to be here for."

For more local coverage of Monday's inauguration festivities, pick up a copy of Tuesday's Register.

Read the up-to-the-minutes blog from Register reporter Andy Ouriel and photographer Jason Werling HERE.