There's a new Mayor in town! Bill de Blasio is sworn in by President Clinton before thousands of cheering New Yorkers (but not everyone looks happy about it)

Billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg take}s the subway home on last day in office as he thanks New York for '12 wonderful years' {VIDEO}

• De Blasio vows to reform 'stop and frisk' policy and tax the wealthy to improve education
  
• 'They are they real modern family' former president Clinton says as he introduces the de Blasios
• Former mayor Michael Bloomberg prepares to jet off to Hawaii on vacation after 12 years in office
  

Bill de Blasio was sworn in as the 109th New York Mayor today at a City Hall ceremony led by former President Bill Clinton.

After taking his oath on a Bible once owned by President Franklin Roosevelt, the first Democrat to take on the role of mayor for 12 years gave an inspiring speech.

'Today we commit to a new progressive direction in New York. And that same progressive impulse has written our city's history. It's in our DNA,' he told guests, who had braved freezing temperatures for the outside ceremony.

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Former President Clinton delivers the oath to Bill de Blasio as his family look on

New York's new mayor hugs his wife and children after being sworn into office

Pres. Clinton swears in NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio

In a sign of change, the down-to-earth mayor arrived for his own ceremony by subway, accompanied by his wife Chirlane McKray and their children Chiara and Dante. 

Speakers at the event, attended by an array of guests, from former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Governor Andrew Cuomo, to stars including Cynthia Dixon and Steve Buscemi, reiterated his campaign theme of justice and equality.

In his first speech as Mayor of New York, de Blasio said: 'When I said I would take dead aim at the Tale of Two Cities, I meant it.' 

'We see what binds all New Yorkers together ... the spark that ignites our unwavering resolve to do everything possible to ensure that every girl and boy ... that every child has the chance to succeed,' he added.

The new mayor renewed his pledge to extending paid sick leave law, and tackling hospital closures, as well as providing affordable housing.

Other key points of his campaign, including reforming the city's stop and frisk policy and providing better education, were raised too.

'We will not wait, we will do it now,' he said, as he talked of plans to ask the rich to pay a little more in taxes so the city can have universal pre-kindergarten.

He laid out the framework for the reforms in which those earning between $500,000 and $1 million would see tax increase of $973 a year, with the extra revenue going directly to school programs. 

'That’s less than three bucks a day – about the cost of a small soy latte at your local Starbucks,' he said, adding: 'Our common cause is to leave no New Yorker behind. That's the city you and I believe in.'

De Blasio with the former U.S. President, who he worked for during Bill Clinton's time in the White House

Bill de Blasio with his wife, Chirlane McCray and children Chiara and Dante on the steps of City Hall

The city's new First Family blow a synchronized kiss to the crowd

 

 

A somber looking Bloomberg was pictured at the swearing in ceremony

De Blasio was sworn in by former President Clinton, who he worked for during Clinton's time in the White House. De Blasio, who won the election by a record margin, was also an integral part to Hillary's senator campaign.

As Clinton took to the stage he thanked Bloomberg for his years in office, saying he had left the city healthier than how he found it.

He went on to introduce the de Blasios, saying: 'With all respect to the television show, they are our real modern family.'

Clinton added that he endorsed de Blasio's fight against inequality, which was forefront of his mayoral campaign.

'I have to say I strongly endorse Bill de Blasio’s core campaign commitment to shared opportunities … and this inequality problem bedevils the entire country,' he told guests.

De Blasio, 52, took his oath using a Bible used by President Roosevelt and, as he was officially sworn in he was greeted with cheers and applause.

In his first speech as mayor de Blasio called on New Yorkers to work together to improve living conditions for everyone living there, saying he wanted to create 'a city of five boroughs - all created equal.'

He told guests he had been proud to work for the Clintons and thanked Bloomberg, saying: 'Let's acknowledge the incredible commitment of our mayor ... To say the least, you led our city through some extremely difficult times.'

The outgoing mayor had met the de Blasios at a subway station, as they arrived for the ceremony. 

As the men embraced de Blasio asked Bloomberg: 'How does it feel to be a free man?'

Mr Bloomberg, 71, is due to take a 10-day holiday to Hawaii and New Zealand now his time as mayor has come to an end.

President Bill Clinton introduced the de Blasios as the 'real modern family'

Outgoing mayor Bloomberg, pictured right, with former mayor David Dinkins, was thanked by Clinton for leaving the city healthier than how he found it

 

The de Blasios appeared to be enjoying their moment in the spot light

De Blasio walks over to hug Hillary Clinton after being sworn in as mayor, while actress Cynthia Nixon looks on

Bill and Hillary Clinton snuggle up to stay warm during the ceremony

 

New York's new first family had been snapped on the way to the ceremony this morning, on board a subway train.

Rebecca Katz, a 'proud member of the de Blasio team' tweeted: 'First Fam taking the 4 on their way to City Hall.'

De Blasio had two swearing in ceremonies. The first outside his Brooklyn home and the official City Hall one, held at noon on Wednesday.

Keen to break with tradition, the new mayoral office brought in DJ Mos, who is well known on the city's club scene, to entertain guests as they waited for the ceremony to begin.

The first speaker, singer Harry Belafonte, gave a rousing introduction to de Blasio, telling the guests: 'New Yorkers should ensure our mayor he will not stand alone in facing the naysayers of progress in our midst.'

Every day people: Bill de Blasio takes the subway to his ceremony with his wife and children

Handover: As the de Blasios arrived at the station near City Hall they were greeted by outgoing mayor Bloomberg

Oath: Bill de Blasio, right, was sworn in as mayor in a smaller ceremony outside his Brooklyn home this morning

His sentiments were echoed by the city's youth poet laureate Ramya Ramana, who read a piece of original work on unity and justice.

Actress Nixon, an advocate for city schools, then took to the stage, saying: "It's an exciting time for New York' before she introduced Broadway star Patina Miller who sang John Lennon's Imagine.

Other members of City Hall were sworn in before de Blasio, including Comptroller Scott Stringer and Public Advocate Letitia James.

Ms James, the first African-American woman to hold office in the city, told the crowd: 'The growing gaps between the haves and have-nots undermines our city.'

Singer and activist Harry Belafonte addresses the crowd at City Hall

Actress Cynthia Nixon arrives at the ceremony with her wife and de Blasio campaigner Christine Marinoni

 

Support: A painting of de Blasio is displayed in Park Slope as Brooklyn welcomes the city's new mayor

She highlighted the city's extremes of 'decrepit' homeless shelters and multi-million dollar apartments, and pointed out that many of those working full time in the city were having to rely on food stamps.

De Blasio has said he work to improve economic opportunities in working-class neighborhoods and has criticised alleged abuses under the police department's stop-and-frisk policy.

Among his plans for the city is his controversial campaign to halt horse-drawn carriage rides through Central Park, calling the tourist attraction 'inhumane'.

Mayor Bloomberg delivers farewell Thank You speech to staff

• The 71-year-old left his office at City Hall at 5pm amid a crowd of supporters and got the subway home to the upper East Side, where he will ring in the New Year with family and friends
• Bloomberg, who is worth an estimated $27 billion, says he plans to spend the rest of his life in New York
• The city will close out 2013 with the lowest murder rate in 50 years

It's the end of an era for New York City.

At 5pm Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Michael Bloomberg was cheered as he left City Hall for the last time as mayor, with his 12 years in office officially coming to an end at midnight.

A sea of flashing cameras and thunderous applause greeted Bloomberg as he left, walking over to catch the subway home to the Upper East Side, sitting among the locals who were happy to express their gratitude.

After attending every other New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square during his three terms, the 71-yeart-old will sit out Tuesday night's festivities to watch the ball drop with family and friends.

Outgoing mayor Michael Bloomberg rides the subway after he left City Hall for last time as Mayor of New York, on New Year's Eve in New York, December 31, 2013. Bloomberg rode the subway home to his Upper East Side home

A passenger carries a sign of support for outgoing mayor Michael Bloomberg, who was riding the train after leaving City Hall for last time as Mayor of New York, on New Year's Eve in New York, December 31, 2013

 

Outgoing Mayor Michael Bloomberg greets supporters as he leaves City Hall Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013, in New York. In New York City, outgoing Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who hobnobbed with celebrities during past Times Square celebrations, was sitting out this year's festivities to spend time with family and friends

Outgoing mayor Michael Bloomberg walks though the crowd outside City Hall as he leaves for last time as Mayor of New York, on New Year's Eve in New York, December 31, 2013

A new report says Bloomberg - who, accoding to Forbes, is worth $27 million - spent $650 million of his own fortune on New York City over the course of three terms in office.

Sorting through public documents, philanthropy databases and other records, the New York Times says Bloomberg spent about $62,400 in 12 years for weekly cleanings of two large saltwater fish tanks in City Hall.

He also made $23 million in campaign donations and has given a cool $30 million to the Metropolitan Museum of Art since 2002.

Bloomberg famously took a $1 annual salary as mayor.

Bloomberg issued a series of tweets marking his last day, the first noting his resolve to resurrect a city still wounded by the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks when he first took office.

'On my first day in office, I visited the World Trade Center site and vowed NYC would rebuild stronger than ever. Today I can say we have,' he tweeted.

In another tweet, Bloomberg thanked his staff and all city employees, saying, 'we’ve made every day count for NYC'.

Outgoing Mayor Michael Bloomberg leaves City Hall Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013, in New York

Outgoing mayor Michael Bloomberg walks through the subway after he left City Hall for last time as Mayor of New York, on New Year's Eve in New York, December 31, 2013

Outgoing mayor Michael Bloomberg talks to a rider on subway platform at 42nd St. after he left City Hall for last time as Mayor of New York, on New Year's Eve in New York, December 31, 2013

He also wished the best for the man who will take his place.

'Best of luck to the de Blasio administration. May the best days for our city be ahead of us,' Bloomberg tweeted.

Finally, he tweeted: 'Thank you, New Yorkers, for the honor and privilege of serving you for these past 12 years.'

On Tuesday morning, the mayor hosted his 13th and final interfaith prayer breakfast at the New York Public Library.

Bloomberg used his final speech as mayor to thank religious leaders for helping New Yorkers in need and to praise the city’s diversity.

'I have always been envious of you,' he said at an interfaith breakfast at the New York Public Library.

'Because you work at the real level where the real problems are. Big numbers are easy to deal with. It’s much tougher when you deal one on one, looking at a person right in the eye who has a problem.'

Bloomberg turned more lighthearted when he spoke about the clock winding down on his tenure.

'As you may know, I’ve been mayor now for 11 years, 364 days and about nine hours, but who’s counting?' he said.

He also cited remarks by Pope Francis about the importance of cities, then quipped, 'The fact that a Jewish kid can quote the Pope in a secular building built by Protestants in front of Hindu, Muslim and Sikh leaders really says all you need to know about New York City.'

Michael Bloomberg stands on a desk inside his office at New York's City Hall giving his farewell speech to staff

Mayor elect Bill de Blasio will be sworn just after midnight on january 1, 2014

Bloomberg told the gathering the city’s best days were still to come and added he plans to live in New York City for the rest of his life.

'It’s been a very rewarding 12 years, I’ll look back on it for the rest of my life and I’ll be able to say to my kids ‘your father tried to do something to make your life and you’re children’s better,'' said the mayor.

His final 48 hours in office included the unveiling of his official City Hall portrait and the signing of legislation banning plastic foam food containers and adding e-cigarettes to the indoor smoking ban.

The city will close out 2013 with the lowest murder rate in 50 years of record-keeping.

The New York Post editorial declared that Bloomberg 'surprised us' by continuing declines in crime under way in the 90s and continuing growth from the dark days after 9/11.

The editorial ends with the Post thanking Bloomberg and saying he 'did New York proud.'

Democrat Bill de Blasio will be sworn in at a private ceremony just after 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.

His public inauguration will be held on the City Hall steps Wednesday at noon. Former President Bill Clinton will administer the oath of office.

Earlier in the day de Blasio announced five new high-administration appointments.

Gilbert Taylor was named the commissioner of homeless services.

He is currently a deputy commissioner at the Administration for Children’s Services.

Polly Trottenberg was chosen to head the Department of Transportation.

She is currently the undersecretary for policy at the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Longtime labor negotiator Bob Linn was named director of labor relations, and Stanley Brezenoff will be an unpaid special adviser to the first deputy mayor specializing in labor contracts.

Lastly, Kyle Kimball will continue to serve as the head of the Economic Development Corp.