The speech in full | Obama's promise to America | Opinion: Gerard Baker | Americans of all colours celebrate | It's our moment, say black Britons | Vote: What was your favourite part of the speech? | Comment: Daniel Finkelstein | Inauguration creates internet frenzy | Ben Macintyre on inaugurations

He began the inaugural speech by thanking George W. Bush for his service and then proceeded to denounce the bitter legacy of the past eight years that had resulted in “a sapping of confidence across our land”.

Mr Bush listened as the ideological foundations of his Administration began to crumble. At times he looked shrunken and at others almost relieved as he played his part in the rituals of regime change.

Although Barack Obama did not attack his predecessor by name, he declared: “On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.”

He added: “Our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests, and putting off unpleasant decisions – that time has surely passed.”

Mr Bush has been called many names over the past eight years, but none so lasting as yesterday, when the word “former” was for ever attached to his title of President.

Shortly before 10am Mr Bush was host in the White House for one last time when Mr Obama arrived for their preinauguration coffee. From there, the two men travelled together down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony.

Mr Bush did not return to the building that he has called home for two turbulent terms, which have ended with polls giving him some of the lowest approval ratings in history. As has become traditional, he left behind a letter for his successor in the drawer of the desk in the Oval Office.

As the oath of office was completed, the lead Secret Service agent shifted his position from Mr Bush to protect Mr Obama. A team of 95 White House domestic staff were busy changing mattresses, scrubbing away the last traces of Mr Bush and moving in the Obamas’ possessions.

After the speech, Mr Bush bade an apparently cheery farewell to his successor. He climbed on board a helicopter and flew to Andrews Air Force Base, where the familiar blue-and-white jet was waiting for him. It was not called Air Force One – that code is reserved for aircraft carrying the President – but Special Air Mission 28000, taking him back to his boyhood home of Midland, Texas.

There, he was joked to the crowd of 4,000 friends and supporters gathered at a private party, that his wife Laura; "told me she was excited about me mowing the lawn and taking out the trash - it's my new domestic agenda."

He added:"When I get home tonight and look in the mirror, I am not going to regret what I see. Except maybe some gray hair."

Later, Mr Bush and his family were scheduled to fly on to his ranch in Crawford, Texas, accompanied by longtime staff members, including Karl Rove, his former adviser, and Josh Bolten, his White House Chief of Staff.

He plans to spend most of his time in Dallas, the site of his new presidential library and public policy institute, where he has bought a $2 million (£1.4 million)house. Mr Bush has also talked about writing a book, saying that he wants to explain the circumstances in which he came to make some of his controversial decisions. “While wistful at times, I think he’s also very excited about building his library and institute,” Dana Perino, the outgoing White House press secretary, said. The final act of transition had been relatively painless, she said.

Dick Cheney, the outgoing Vice-President, had a less happy experience. He injured his back carrying boxes on Monday night and appeared at the inauguration in a wheelchair. Some observers remarked that he bore more than a passing resemblance to the eponymous crazed scientist in Stanley Kubrick’s film Dr Strangelove.

Thousands of Mr Bush’s officials have handed in their security passes, BlackBerrys and coded lapel pins. But some conservatives can yet look forward to the advent of the new era. John McCain, the Republican nominee who was soundly beaten by Mr Obama in November, has been given help from the new President in restoring some of his tarnished lustre as an independently minded politician.

On Monday night Mr Obama spoke at a dinner held in the senator’s honour. “We will not always agree on everything in the months to come,” he said. “But let us strive to find that common ground, and to defend together those common ideals, for it is the only way we can meet the very big and very serious challenges that we face.”

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