Some lucky people watched the transfer of executive power at the city government's center of power Tuesday. NY1's Grace Rauh filed the following report.

The hottest ticket in town Tuesday may have been a chance to watch President Barack Obama's inauguration on the big screen at the City Council chamber in City Hall.

"This man has something. Once you meet him and listen to him, it's like something, like God has just blessed him," said an attendee.

The event could have been mistaken for a fervent revival service, or a concert by a teen idol attended by shrieking fans, as Obama took the oath of office.

Among the hundreds in attendance were 31 students from P.S. 59 in the Bronx who belonged to an Irish dance troop.

"Some of them didn't really understand until they were here and saw this happen in front of their own eyes - the first African-American president," said teacher Caroline Duggan, who leads the troupe. "The lesson I always teach the kids is, you can do anything you want in life. And we took them to Ireland, they performed for the president of Ireland, so now the next stop, we hope, will be the White House."

The idea to open the doors to the public was hatched by City Council staffer Carrie Mobley, who wanted a place where people who weren't traveling to Washington, D.C. could come together.

After the swearing-in, Mobley was overcome with emotion.

"It's like when you are in church and your pastor is saying something that you feel like shouting about, well, this was our shouting time today as well," she said. "It was awesome."

New Yorkers who attended said watching a historic inauguration in this historic building was second only to being at the ceremony in person.

"I think we're at the next best place to be than Washington. It's just really thrilling to be here at this moment," said an attendee.

Uptown, another city institution had the joy of watching one of their own alumni become the leader of the free world.

Students, faculty and staff gathered at Columbia University, Barack Obama's alma mater, to celebrate the ascension of the first president who graduated from their undergraduate college.

Members of the university's community gathered outside in the central Low Plaza of the Morningside Heights campus to watch the ceremonies.

"I think it's very important as the Columbia Community to gather here to witness the most historic presidential inauguration in our lifetimes, perhaps," said Columbia student Elizabeth Kobak. "And it's great to see that everyone here despite their ethnicity and faith, as President Obama just said, to unify here for one great cause, the cause of hope."

"I think our country has been through a lot in the past decade and it's exciting to feel like we might have the chance to maybe start over," said Columbia student Amanda Maclellan.

Obama graduated from Columbia in 1983.

Meanwhile, Columbia graduate and Schools Chancellor Joel Klein celebrated the inauguration at his old elementary school in Brooklyn - one of nearly 1,200 around the city that showed the ceremony live.

Klein joined hundreds of students at P.S. 205 in Bensonhurst to watch the swearing in.

Last month, Klein encouraged principals to hold special events and lessons surrounding Obama's inauguration. He says the new president brings hope to students that no dream is out of reach.

"What Barack Obama stands for is that in America today, anyone can be president," said Klein. "But not anyone can be president, if they don't get an education like Barack Hussein Obama himself, and I think he understands that and is committed to it."

"I think he might improve the economy and that he might employed more people who are unemployed," said student Matthew Louie.

In East Tremont, Bronx, City Councilman Joel Rivera and members of the Community School 67 student council spent the day in watching the Inauguration events.

Many say it marked a special moment in history that they are excited to witness with friends.

"It was really special for me. I thought that one day I could have the chance to become the first woman president," said a student.

"I want each child to take back home today that 'yes they can,' and that they can achieve whatever is their dream to achieve," said Rivera.

"I wanted all my students to come together to share this moment in history because it shows unity within a community and what happens when everyone comes together as one," said principal Emily Grimball.

The students also say they're confident President Obama will know how to deal with the many challenges he will face during his time in office.

And all over the city, New Yorkers rushed late Tuesday to get the evening edition of newspapers as a keepsake of this historical event.

Midtown newsstands were flooded with customers, most of whom bought several copies.

The covers feature Obama getting sworn in with his wife, Michelle, beside him, under headlines that read "History is Made" and "Hope."

The inauguration was not only a big event here in the United States, but to many around the world.

"Well, it's a historic event for anybody. I think it's going to be a once-in-a-lifetime [event] for anybody. He's the first black president ever," said one keepsake hunter.