Before a smartphone was put in every person’s hands and the economy had recovered, way back when wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were still raging and we were all hopeful that the new administration would help pull us out of a deep recession, Washington welcomed the nation’s first black president who had promised to shake things up and deliver us change.

The day was January 20th, 2009.

He was a little less gray around the temples back then, and his energetic rallies throughout the campaign were something of a modern marvel.

After emerging the victor over the aging John McCain, President Barack Obama took the oath of office and brought his friend Joe Biden along with him for one heck of a ride that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden, more than 70 straight months of job creation, and a national unemployment rate sliced totally in half.

As a Throwback Thursday, here’s a look at that moment in images:

Barack Obama being sworn in as the nation’s 44th president. (Mark Wilson/AP Photo)

The inaugural parade proceeds along Pennsylvania Ave. on Jan. 21, 2009 in Washington. (Evan Vucci/AP Photo)

Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill walk along Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington at the inaugural parade on Jan. 20, 2009 (M. Rucker/AP Photo)

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama walk down Pennsylvania Avenue en route to the White House, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, Washington. (AP Photo/Doug Mills, Pool)

Sasha and Malia Obama look on at the inaugural parade in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009 (Jae Hong/AP Photo)

President Obama’s inaugural address (Ron Edwards/AP Photo)

The First Couple at the Commander in Chief Inaugural Ball at National Building Museum in Washington, District of Columbia, on January 20, 2009 (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)