Today I set out to revisit both the Smithsonian’s American History Museum and the FDR memorial. I thought I would visit the museum first. After fighting (passively) my way through the crowd, I looked at the line of entrance to the museum. It was extremely long. I decided to go directly to the FDR memorial. I walked over a mile there and a mile back, which was quite refreshing. On my way to there, Obama’s motorcade came flying by and I think my ears are still damaged from that. It was cool to see that though.I then decided to go to Union Station to purchase another bottle of an Italian wine I really enjoyed the other night. Union Station was closed, as evidently Joe Biden was having dinner there. When I finally made my way back to the Metro, I was exhausted. I had already been to gym this morning and then to have to walk at least 4 miles in the cold, it was not ideal. I did so much, yet so little.
One observation I made today was the optimism shared by millions of people on the streets of DC. It very much reminded me of the streets of Washington on March 4, 1933. I could see the sincere hope people have for the incoming president. This whole event here is helping me to better understand the election of 1932 and the soon followed transition of executive power. The economic crisis is hindering people’s ability to pay their bills. As Franklin Roosevelt said, “the people demand action and they demand it now,” Barack Obama has mentioned many things he plans to pursue in his first one-hundred days. In 1933, a record- breaking half of a million people showed up to see Roosevelt take office. Now, Washington is once again seeing record numbers appearing to see a commander-in-chief take office. I think it is a remarkable American experience to bear witness to the transition of power of the US presidency.
