With a sense of hope, history and hard challenges ahead, thousands gathered Tuesday at spots across South Florida to witness Barack Obama's inauguration.

There were teachers, like Steve Carson, 63, who watched from the African-American Research Library near Fort Lauderdale because he said it was ``a once-in-a-lifetime event.''

There were students, like 9-year-old Najaia Edwards, precocious enough to recognize the difficult tasks facing the new president.

''I hope that he will make the prices go down and help more people, because everyone is having troubles paying their bills,'' she said while standing outside the library with her mom, Shevella.

People packed auditoriums, homes and restaurants throughout Miami-Dade and Broward on Tuesday for the chance to witness history and hear how Obama planned to address the nation's ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and its floundering economy.

In Miami, the mood was festive and upbeat at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, where more than 4,500 people had reserved free seats to watch the ceremony on big screens.

Madeleine Rivera, 44, had a ticket to Washington but decided to stay closer to home so she could experience the day with her family. Outside the Arsht Center, Rivera's son said Obama was a role model.

''To see someone in the White House who looks like me, who is a minority taking the highest seat, inspires me,'' said Gregorio Rivera, 22. ``The sky's the limit.''

Some inauguration watchers were skeptical about how quickly Obama would be able to make good on the call for change that defined his campaign. His presidency won't bring ''a quick and easy miracle,'' Lauren Christos said at the Miami watch party. ''But it's certainly the most optimistic feeling I've witnessed in many, many years,'' she added.

Area universities hosted public screenings, including Florida International University in Miami-Dade, Nova Southeastern University in Davie and Barry University in Miami Shores.

At NSU, more than 120 people jammed into the student lounge moments before Obama took the oath. Joseph Gousse, 23, of Lauderhill, was the first to arrive. Gousse, born in the United States and raised in Haiti, said Obama would unite all kinds of people.

''He has an Arab name, a white mother and an African father,'' Gousse said. ``He's like us -- with roots from everywhere.''

About 75 people watched the inauguration on TVs set up under a white tent alongside Northwest Seventh Avenue in Liberty City.

The group rose as one and cheered at the first image of Obama headed out of the Capitol to the terrace where he would take the oath. Again and again, the group rose and cheered at key points in Obama's speech and the rest of the program.

After, when the Rev. Joseph Lowery asked for an ''amen'' at the end of his benediction, ''Amen!'' rang loud and clear through the tent.

Excited energy also filled Dan Marino's Fine Food and Spirits in South Miami as people gathered around flat-screen TVs for a watch party sponsored by the Democrats of South Dade.

South Miami Mayor Horace Feliu, a Democrat, milled among the scores of attendees, shaking hands and slapping backs.

''The dream is still alive,'' Feliu said. ``When people pray, dream and hope together, great things can happen.''

Those gathered at the African-American Research Library were greeted by Broward's black elected officials. County Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion Jr. and School Board member Phyllis Hope were among the leaders there.

''I'm almost in tears because of the pride and the happiness,'' Hope said. ``It's hard to explain, but it's just a feeling that is so wonderful.''

Cynthia Shaw, a registered nurse who lives in Fort Lauderdale, took the day off so she could watch the ceremonies at the library.

Shaw said she has also been working on a scrapbook to preserve the memory of Obama's election.

''I wanted to be able to share this with my grandchildren,'' she said. 'I wanted to be able to say, `Your grandmother was a part of this.' ''

Many employers gave workers the day off; about 5 percent of U.S. businesses closed Tuesday -- more than on Election Day and about as many as the day before Thanksgiving, according to the Society for Human Resource Management.

People took the opportunity to bring their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews to watch the festivities.

Carson, a teacher and assistant principal who is now retired, was on vacation from Atlanta and wanted to watch the inauguration with friends.

''We're just enthused about being here,'' Carson said. 'It's a once-in-a-lifetime event. Kind of a `Where were you when this happened?' kind of thing.''

Miami Herald staff writers Carli Teproff, Michael Vasquez, Eileen Soler, Laura Morales, Elinor J. Brecher and Jose Pagliery contributed to this report.

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