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Iraq mission 'not accomplished'

Seven years after the US military went into Iraq, president Barack Obama will mark the end of combat operations with an address from the Oval Office.
In the US: John Shovelan
John Shovelan is ABC News Online's special correspondent on Inauguration Day.
Excitement builds on inauguration eve
Authorities in Washington DC are bracing for as many as two million people on the National Mall tomorrow to witness the swearing in of the nation's 44th president, Barack Obama.
In-Depth
Transcript: Obama's inaugural address

Barack Obama has been sworn in as the 44th US president. Here is his inaugural address in full.
Obama's inaugural speech: 'Sombre but special'

Former NSW Premier Bob Carr, a US political history enthusiast, analyses Barack Obama's inaugural speech.
Profile: Obama's date with destiny

With a few short words carved from the US Constitution, Barack Obama today became the 44th United States President and the first African-American president, capping a meteoric rise from obscurity to the Oval Office.
Biden brings wealth of knowledge to White House

After making the United States Senate his second home for decades, Joe Biden this week will move to his vice-presidential digs in Washington, eager to lend his world affairs and congressional expertise to Barack Obama's team.
Profile: Barack Obama's team

President-elect Barack Obama has assembled high-powered teams to tackle the US economy, foreign policy and energy.
Michelle Obama: America's new first lady

Born Michelle LaVaughn Robinson on January 17, 1964, Michelle Obama grew up in a working class Chicago neighbourhood as the United States embarked on some of the most tumultuous years of the civil rights movement.
Obama security team 'prepared for unthinkable'

Barack Obama's inauguration as the first US black president will take place on Tuesday (Wednesday morning AEDT) amid unprecedented security aimed at protecting him as well as the record crowds expected to attend.
Obama's letter to his daughters: 'I ran for you'

In an open letter to his young daughters, US President-elect Barack Obama says he entered the race for the White House "because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation".
Diary of events for Obama inauguration

A host of official festivities will mark the historical inauguration of Barack Obama as the first African-American president of the United States.
A word of advice, Mr President: keep it short and sweet

As US President-elect Barack Obama prepares to take the oath of office, ABC News Online explores what makes an inauguration speech great.
Inauguration speeches: Presidents who said it best

Barack Obama's reputation as a speech maker will ensure high expectations for his inaugural address on January 20.
Top 10 US inaugural quotes

As United States President-elect Barack Obama prepares to take the oath of office and address his nation, here are 10 of the most famous quotes from past US inaugural speeches.
Obama's inauguration by numbers
US President-elect Barack Obama's historic inauguration in Washington on January 20 means crunching a lot of numbers. Here is a snapshot of some of them.
Obama inauguration: a milestone in race relations

Anyone looking for evidence of the change represented by the United States electing an African-American as president could start with the White House itself. It was built 200 years ago using black slave labour.
Key dates: from slavery to the White House

A timeline of important dates in African-American history
Obama strives for the Lincoln touch

The spirit of Abraham Lincoln will suffuse inauguration day, as Barack Obama channels the example of America's greatest president for a national struggle to overcome the trials of today.
Obama's foreign policy challenge

Barack Obama inherits wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, stalled nuclear negotiations with North Korea and Iran, and a crisis in the Gaza Strip when he becomes US president this week.
Struggling economy dominates Obama's domestic agenda

No other item on Barack Obama's agenda for his first 100 days comes close in importance to putting the ailing economy back on a sound footing.
Obama's options for tackling bank crisis
US President-elect Barack Obama's economic team is poring over options for tackling the financial crisis, which has raised fresh fears about the health of leading banks around the world.
Tech-savvy president expected to rally online army

Barack Obama is expected to make unprecedented use of internet to mobilise millions of supporters during his presidency.

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