Tens of thousands of people are streaming toward the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, where President Bush takes the oath of office for a second term later today (Thursday).
Mr. Bush will be sworn in just before noon, local time, before spelling out the major themes of his second term in his inaugural address.
According to excerpts of the speech (released by the White House), Mr. Bush will tell the nation that "The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands." And he will stress that the expansion of freedom worldwide is the best hope for world peace.
The president will speak to an audience of about a half-million people -- supporters as well as ordinary people eager to witness an American tradition. The front of the Capitol has been decorated with five huge American flags for the occasion.
Before heading to the Capitol, Mr. Bush attended a morning service at St. John's Church, located one block from the White House. He was joined there by family members including his father, former President George H.W. Bush.
The elder Mr. Bush will be one of three former presidents attending the inauguration ceremony.
Security for the inauguration is the tightest in history with a large part of Washington closed to traffic.