"As a record-breaking crowd gathered on the National Mall, Good Morning America kicked off our coverage with Diane Sawyer, Robin Roberts, Chris Cuomo and Sam Champion in the heart of the action. Following GMA, Diane Sawyer joined Charles Gibson and George Stephanopoulos anchoring from the Newseum on Pennsylvania Avenue, overlooking the U.S. Capitol.
"ABC's incomparable team of anchors and correspondents added context, depth and historical perspective to the memorable images of the day. Our coverage built upon the solid foundation of two years of in-depth reporting on the candidates and issues of the campaign and the immense challenges facing the new administration and our nation as a whole.
"ABC's coverage was enhanced by a diverse group of political analysts, insiders, historians and guests, including such notable figures as former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Rev. Jesse Jackson, senior Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett, and the filmmaker and activist Spike Lee.
"ABC's cameras captured emotional reaction in live feeds from around the world; we watched events unfold with community activists in Selma, Alabama, and at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis; with enthusiastic crowds in Harlem; even in Obama's ancestral village in Kenya and boyhood school in Indonesia.
"ABC News also led the competition when unexpected news broke in the middle of the day: Sen. Ted Kennedy suffered a seizure and was rushed to the hospital. ABC's Senior Congressional Correspondent Jonathan Karl reported live from the Capitol Rotunda, just outside the room where Kennedy was stricken, and was first with eyewitness reports and interviews with Kennedy's fellow Senators.
"Live coverage continued with the Inaugural parade through 6:30 p.m., followed by a 90-minute edition of World News with Charles Gibson and then our exclusive broadcast from the Neighborhood Ball, which gave millions of viewers a front-row seat at the premiere event of the Inaugural celebrations.
"Amid the festivities, ABC's Robin Roberts conducted the first interview with the new President about what the day meant to him and the challenges that lay ahead.
"Our coverage culminated in prime time with A Moment in History: The Inauguration of Barack Obama and finally Nightline with Terry Moran and Cynthia McFadden, featuring more great moments from the Inaugural Balls and all the highlights of this extraordinary day.
"We are proud to submit ABC's coverage of this historic event: Inauguration 2009 for your consideration."--2009 Peabody Awards entry form.
This is the January 20, 2009 episode of The World News Tonight with Charles Gibson, as described above.
Corporate Producers: ABC News | ABC Television Network
Persons Appearing: Charles Gibson (Correspondent)
Broadcast Date: 2009-01-20
