More than 1 million people crammed onto the National Mall and along the Pennsylvania Avenue inauguration parade route Tuesday to witness the swearing-in of the nation’s first black president. The Associated Press estimate is based on crowd photographs and comparisons with past events.

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People stood shoulder-to-shoulder at the Washington Monument, about 14 blocks away from the Capitol. The crowd was so tightly packed that some people complained they felt claustrophobic. Further away, people surrounded the Reflecting Pool, watching the inauguration of Barack Obama on large TV screens.

“Everyone’s in a good mood,” said Brenda Gruss, an attorney who looked on near the Smithsonian’s natural history museum.

District of Columbia fire and EMS department spokesman Alan Etter said medical personnel were having trouble getting to people quickly around the National Mall because of the throngs of people, but that everyone who has needed help has eventually received treatment.

“Obviously the crush of people downtown is making it very challenging,” Etter said. “We’re doing the best we can.”

Here are some images on site…

image source: news.bbc.co.uk, boston.com