From Inauguration to the Internet: The Web Responds
by Claudine ZapJan 20, 2009
From on the ground to online, folks have been seeking out delectable details as the day unfolds. Here are some of the most popular look-ups.
Hat's off!
What better way to kick off the festivities ushering in the first African-American president than being serenaded by the "Queen of Soul," Aretha Franklin. The singer bedazzled with her voice, but she had some competition with what was on her head. The enormously bowed topper spurred fans to search on "Aretha Franklin hat," "Aretha Franklin at inauguration," and "Aretha Franklin inauguration hat."
What's for lunch?
There's nothing like a swearing-in ceremony to work up a powerful appetite. And the luncheon with Congress with presidential and vice presidential guests of honor had some searchers hungering for the menu. As Sen. Dianne Feinstein mentioned, the luncheon recipes were the most popular section of the Presidential Inaugural Committee website. The multi-course menu included duck, pheasant, and apple cinnamon sponge cake. Searchers wanting to crash the meal looked up "molasses sweet potatoes," "inaugural luncheon," and "inaugural luncheon menu." You can see the full menu and wine pairings here. Read it and weep.
He has words for you
Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, the civil rights leader who worked alongside Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered the benediction. The speech proved not only popular in the stands, but in search, with look-ups for the entire speech, including "Lowery benediction," "Lowery benediction text," "Reverend Lowery's speech," and "transcript of inaugural benediction." The reverend began his text by quoting a verse from what's known as the "Negro National Anthem," a poem set to music titled "Lift Every Voice and Sing," originally performed in commemoration of Lincoln's birthday at a segregated school in 1900. The text spurred additional look-ups for "negro national anthem" and "negro national anthem lyrics."
Serious speech for serious times
While the crowd was joyful, President Barack Obama's inaugural address was not, intoning phrases such as "In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned." Searches on "obama's speech" and "Obamas inaugural speech" immediately spiked. A critical review said the somber words invoked FDR. Newsweek said the speech reflected Obama's "zeal to remake America's image in the eyes of the world." The New York Times called the speech "good, not great." As the Buzz Log reported earlier, the inaugural address touched on themes of sacrifice, change, personal responsibility, and of course, hope.
