Barack Obama sworn in for 2nd term, leads divided nation

In a private White House ceremony, Barack Obama sworn for a second time to 'protect and defend' the U.S. Constitution, officially affirming the duties of president in an oath he will repeat for hundreds of thousands of people during gala ceremonies Monday.

The day of festivities, parades and fancy dress balls will mark the beginning of Obama 's second four-year term as America's first black president. The politician who rose improbably from a history as a community organizer in Chicago and a professor of constitutional law to the pinnacle of power faces a nation riven by partisan disunity, a still-weak economy and an array of challenges abroad. Obama  on Monday will take the oath again before the crowd and is expected to follow the recent tradition of walking at least part of the way back to the White House, surrounded by cheers.

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