US President George W. Bush said on the eve of his inauguration that he was ready for four more years in the White House, pledging to unite the country during his second term.

"An inauguration is a time of unity for our country," Bush said at an inaugural extravaganza called "A Celebration of Freedom" on Wednesday on the Ellipse south of the White House. "I am eager and ready for the work ahead," he said.

Bush will be sworn in for his second term Thursday noon on Capitol Hill in the first inauguration since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. His first four years were marked by the terror attacks in the country and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Bush's inaugural speech had gone through 21 drafts as of Wednesday afternoon and was timed at 17 minutes. Aides said the address was designed to be inspirational instead of being specific on initiatives.

"I will speak about freedom," Bush said. "This is the cause that unites our country and gives hope to the world and will lead us to a future of peace."

In a chilling day with streets blanketed by a sudden snowfall, Bush and his wife, Laura, visited the US Archives to view the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the handwritten inaugural speech by George Washington, the first US president.

Security was extremely tight before the inauguration. Concrete barriers and steel security fences were in place across the city and traffic was blocked for most streets near the event.