ST. AUGUSTINE, FL -- In the nation's oldest city Tuesday, a crowd gathered to celebrate America and the inauguration of a new president, Barack Obama.
Edgar Williams was in the crowd and he was on a quiet mission.
He wanted everyone here to sign his grandmother's hand-stitched, old, faded quilt.
When asked why, Williams said, "Because of our newly elected president. Nobody ever thought it would happen. [My grandmother] certainly didn't."
This history-making event lured coffee sippers, flag wavers, and bundled-up children to downtown St. Augustine to watch the inauguration ceremony live on a giant screen and two big-screen televisions.
The crowd of about 200-300 people gathered in the Plaza de la Constitucion. It is the oldest public plaza in America dating back to the 1500s.
Children, senior citizens, people of different colors, and residents from different parts of town all came to witness history together.
Caroline Ebong gave another woman a high five during the ceremony. She helped with the Obama campaign.
Ebong told First Coast News, "Joy to me is sweeter when it is with other people, not just by myself."
Mary Spencer wiped away tears with her gloved hands. She said "I'm so excited to be here. I wouldn't care if it was minus ten [degrees]. I would still be here."
Then with much anticipation, Barack Obama was officially sworn in.
The crowd cheered and burst into applause. People cried, laughed, waved U.S. flags in the air, and raised their hands.
And Williams?
He kept on... seizing the moment, quietly asking people to sign his family heirloom.
"I thought this would be a great occasion for me to get something signed that's dear to me -- as this is -- by so many people at such a special occasion," Williams explained.
Everyone who signed it seemed honored and pleased.
Williams was sharing not just a bit of personal history but a historic moment with near-perfect strangers.
He smiled, and calmly said, "But we're not strangers. I may not know you, but we're all kids of God...and that means a lot. And our newly elect is going to bring everybody a little closer together."
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