At approximately 11:56 A.M. today, President-Elect Barack Obama will take the Oath of Office for President of the United States of America.

The Oath of Office for President is short and simple. It details the most important part of the job, though, and has remained unchanged for the entirety of the United States’ existence.

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Text of Oath of Office for the President of the United States, courtesy the transcript of the United States Constitution, courtesy of the National Archives website.

It’s a new day, my friends. A new day that will end with strong, confident and steady leadership. That’s change I can believe in.