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News: Nation

Crowds throng to Mall, ready to witness history

January 21, 2013 | Modified: January 21, 2013 at 10:46 am
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Photo -   The sun rises over Capitol Hill looking down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, as Washington prepares for the 57th Presidential Inaugural and the ceremonial swearing-in of President Barack Obama's second term. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The sun rises over Capitol Hill looking down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, as Washington prepares for the 57th Presidential Inaugural and the ceremonial swearing-in of President Barack Obama's second term. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

WASHINGTON (AP) — There isn't the same crush of humanity as four years ago, but the crowd for President Barack Obama's second inauguration is extending along the National Mall to a giant tent and screen in front of the Washington Monument.

A heavy and steady stream of people flooded the Mall on Monday, stretching out around the reflecting pool.

People snapped pictures with a flag-draped Capitol building in the background.

Betsy Seeber of Doylestown, Pa., said, "I'm not a crowd person, and I was pretty astounded when they estimated there would only be 800,000."

The weather is cool with a steady breeze. Hand-warmers are being sold by street vendors three for $5. In 2009, when temperatures were in the 20s, vendors got $5 for each one.