Four decades ago, Dr. Ewart Brown was an outspoken student and civil rights activist in Washington, DC. Yesterday, he was back there to watch America's first ever black President take office and could not stop the tears from falling.

"I was filled up, and in fact could not hold back my tears, especially when he referred to his father who 60 years ago would not have been able to eat in a restaurant in Washington DC," said Bermuda's Premier of President Barack Obama's speech.

"I could fast-forward that to more recent times in Washington DC when things haven't been as they are today. It just shows me that even though people often accuse politicians of not being associated with any significant change, today showed that it can happen with sustained effort and when people get outside of themselves and their narrow interests and speak to a wider base."

Dr. Brown, who was talking to media representatives via conference call, did not attend the inauguration on security advice. He was disappointed, but made the best of the situation.

"We had a private party here at the Park Hyatt Hotel and watched it from the very beginning. We all sat here and the people who were with us have a history of involvement in the civil rights movement and there was not a dry eye in the room. History in the making."

Asked to explain his feelings in the context of his personal experiences, Dr. Brown replied: "Of course I was just having memories recalling my life in this very city where at the age of 18 I participated in my first demonstration outside the White House.

"I remember how hostile the environment was, with counter demonstrators and an unfriendly Police force. Just to see such a real turn-around in terms of the role that was being played today when I watched Barrack Obama and his wife walking down Pennsylvania Avenue as the first couple, just made me realise that it was worth it. What all of us did was worth it."

With the new President preaching a message of unity, Dr. Brown was asked how this compared to Bermuda's political scene.

"I did hear him talk of letting go of recriminations and pettiness and there's no question I heard that loud and clear and I look forward to that not being the order of the day," he said. "I think we have a chance, I think when events like this occur we have the opportunity to appeal to the best in us and take some of the tension off the table and I will do what I can to do that."

Dr. Brown said he felt Obama "was speaking to me as much as he was speaking to a grandmother here in Washington. He was speaking to the world." And he backed the President's pledge that America's military might alone shall not be her only power.

"That's something I've longed for for many many years. I would like to see a day when the US is seen for its power to heal," he said.

Dr. Brown made the most of opportunities to meet members of Congress and the new Obama team during his visit to Washington, DC, describing meetings with Attorney-General designate Eric Holder and UN Ambassador designate Susan Holder as among the highlights. He hopes these introductions will be converted into meaningful relationships.

Dr. Brown met Obama when he was a Presidential candidate during the US Congressional Black Caucus' annual legislative conference in Washington DC in 2007. Asked if he hoped to secure face time with the world's most powerful man in future, Dr. Brown replied: "Yes, I would like to see him sometime this year if it's at all possible and I will see when he can fit us in. Bermuda is not his number one agenda item."

Opposition leader Kim Swan was also in the US capital with his wife, his United Bermuda Party colleague Patricia Gordon Pamplin and family friends. Like Dr. Brown, he was filled with tears at what he described as "a glorious time in history".

"Washington DC is abuzz with surreal sense of pride and hope as more than a million Americans, particularly the hundreds of thousands of persons of African decent, have come to the nation's capital to be a part of history. The crowds are a sea of diversity from all walks of life," he said.

"This morning we took public transportation from Virginia. As we waited for the bus in 19-degree weather we waved and blew kisses to motorists 'Johnny Barnes style,' and people waved back to us. When we boarded the bus we all said 'good morning' and one passenger commented 'change HAS come to America'."

Mr. Swan added: "Personally, I am tearful and filled with prayers for the success of this administration, as I witness millions of people in Washington DC and around the world show solidarity by celebrating this historic day, looking for a vantage point to share this day, this moment in time. President Obama's speech was inspirational and took us all to task to rise to the challenge before us today to start now to build a better tomorrow."