President Barack Obama says that "while freedom is a gift from God, it must be secured by his people here on Earth."

Delivering his second inaugural address, the president said that the inalienable rights set out in the Declaration of Independence may be self-evident - but "they've never been self-executed."

The president says we must do these things together, as one nation and one people.

Obama spoke shortly after taking the public oath of office for his second term Monday. He addressed hundreds of thousands on the National Mall and millions more watching worldwide.