As Canadians at home and abroad celebrated the dawn of a new political era Tuesday, Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean said Barack Obama's inauguration has "symbolic meaning on a global scale."
"A new page in the history of civilizations is being written before our very eyes, fulfilling the wishes of so many youths, women and men, from every background and every creed, to see our world become more just and more human," Jean said in a statement released Tuesday.
"It is the hope for a world where human beings will at last find their place at the centre of the systems they have created to make life the most wondrous of adventures," she said.
Jean, who was born in Haiti, added that Canadians will soon have the chance to host Obama during his first foreign trip as U.S. president.
While Obama's inauguration is "taking place in the land of our partners," Jean called it a "historic moment that we are joyfully celebrating."
Likewise, though Obama's inaugural speech focused primarily on domestic issues like the ailing U.S. economy, he touched on America's relationships with poor nations - and rich ones like Canada.
"And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect," said Obama.
"For the world has changed, and we must change with it."
Canadians celebrate across the country
Across Canada and at the embassy in Washington, Canadians gathered to celebrate the event.
In Halifax, members of a predominantly black church gathered to watch Obama take the Oath of Office.
About 50 people gathered around a television at the 176-year-old Cornwallis Street Baptist Church, reflecting on the momentous occasion.
"It's significant ... because we've gone through the same things that they've gone through in the United States," Wanda Lewis of Halifax told The Canadian Press.
"We know the pain. We know the heartaches. We also have the joys. So today it's a joyful time."
In Toronto, several venues around the city were hosting inauguration parties.
The main party was at Yonge-Dundas Square in downtown Toronto where the inauguration was shown live on several of the big screens at the public square.
On Monday, three busloads of Democrats Abroad left Toronto for Washington.
Meanwhile, in Montreal, dozens of members of the Imani Family and Full Gospel Church also left Monday to be in Washington for the inauguration.
"We're getting the world together to celebrate with Obama and to be there for this real special, special occasion," Grace Sealey, a teacher, told CTV Montreal.
Rev. Daryl Gray said Tuesday marks more than the dream of Martin Luther King Jr.
"This is the reality, this is the dream coming to fruition," Gray told CTV Montreal.
Other Montreal residents, like Gemma Raeburn, weren't able to make it to Washington for the inauguration.
Instead, Raeburn hosted an Obama inauguration party at her home.
"Actually, it was my husband's initiative, he said 'The day Obama becomes president I am not going to work,'" Raeburn told CTV Montreal. "So I figured... why not invite some people."
In Ottawa, at Carleton Heights Public School, students watched the inauguration speech in class.
"It's a historical moment," Grade 6 teacher Laura Erola told CTV Ottawa. "I want them to remember 10 years from now 'Oh, I remember what we did in Grade 6 to honour Barack Obama's inauguration.' I think it is history."
Canadian embassy
In Washington, more than 1,000 Canadians and Americans congregated at the Embassy of Canada on Pennsylvania Avenue for a tailgate party Tuesday to watch Obama's inauguration and the parade afterwards.
The embassy boasts one of the best viewing spots on the parade route, a panoramic view of Capitol Hill.
Gordon Giffin, former U.S. ambassador to Canada, told CTV's Canada AM Tuesday from the embassy that Tuesday was a "big day for Canada on Pennsylvania Avenue."
At the embassy, the coveted Grey Cup won by the Calgary Stampeders last year, was on display.
Attendees were also being served Canadian "BeaverTail" pastries, which have been renamed for the historic day.
The "Obama Tail" was served loaded with the classic Beaver Tail cinnamon and sugar flavour, topped with maple flavoured eyes and a Nutella 'O.'
With files from The Canadian Press
