Toyin Oloko-Nelson, a 39-year-old Nigerian immigrant who lives in Paterson, N.J., had planned to drive to Washington with his brother, Azeez Oloko, 33, for Monday’s inaugural celebrations. On Sunday night as he was watching coverage of President Obama’s official swearing in, Oloko-Nelson’s 6-year-old son said he wanted to come along, too.

This was the first time any of them had attended a presidential inauguration. Four years ago, Oloko-Nelson said he took the historical moment for granted.