The citizens of Issaquah and Sammamish stood as one on Tuesday morning to watch the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama.

In what was a singularly unifying event, the new president addressed the millions assembled at the Washington Mall, and the many millions tuning in via television and Webcasts around the world.

Issaquah Valley Elementary School teacher Susan Adler said it was important that students had the chance to share the experience of the inauguration with their friends and family.

“The students are at an important stage where they are on the brink of fully understanding this event’s significance in our history,” she said.