Canadians watched in anticipation as Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, delivered his speech after accepting the oath of office on the steps of Capitol Hill on Tuesday.

And the significance of the inauguration was felt by a number of Canadians who made the trip to Washington to take in the big event.

Carol Rutwind watched the inauguration on her TV and played close attention to the crowd, in an attempt to spot her daughter, who was in attendance for the event.

"She is so excited and it's been an incredible experience," said Rutwind.

CTV News had a chance to speak with 21-year-old Alexandra Rutwind Tuesday online about her experience in Washington.

"Everybody went crazy and there were women crying next to me and hugging and it was just beautiful," she said. "It allowed me to be a bigger part of something bigger than myself."

NAIT student Landon Hommy also made the trip out to Washington and was fortunate enough to be near the steps of Capitol Hill.

"It was surreal to say the least, to have that many people sharing similar emotions of excitement and hope was really something cool," Hommy told CTV News.

And if you couldn't be in the middle of the action, the next best place was being glued to the tube. Many Edmontonians dropped everything Tuesday for a glimpse of history.

One man watched from the comfort of his living room and was proud to see an African American in the Oval Office for the first time.

"Speaks volumes for the progress mankind has made and I believe if there is any political system that deserves to be praised, it is democracy," said Augustine Marah.

Ginny Hunter watched closely, while in the dentist's chair.

"He's very well spoken and the world's listening," said Hunter.

One woman watched as she worked up a sweat at the gym not wanting to miss a minute of the event.

"It means change, hope for the future for my daughter for everybody else's children. It means I've been on the treadmill for an hour just to watch the inauguration," she said.

It was definitely an important day in American history and Obama addressed the world with some powerful messages for the people.

"The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit. On this day we have gathered because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord," Obama said in his speech Tuesday.

Tim Murphy was moved by Obama's words of sincerity.

"I have a granddaughter who is black, she is Jamaican, eleven years old and I can see a change," he said.

Staff at the Boyle Street Co-op said Obama's platform of change resonates with many at the centre.

"They are looking for change, they are looking for new ways to do things and I think his words meant a lot to them," said Sandy Ericson with the Boyle Street Co-op.

Many festivities are expected to take place Tuesday night to celebrate Obama. The Empress Ale House on Whyte Avenue and 99 Street is being dubbed as Edmonton's official Obama inauguration mixer.

With files from CTV's Bill Fortier, Erin Isfeld and Rob McAnally