United States presidential inaugural balls
Encyclopedia
United States presidential inaugural balls are large social gatherings, both white tie
and black tie
, held to celebrate the commencement of a new term of the President of the United States
. Planned and sanctioned by the Presidential Inaugural Committee, the official inaugural balls occur throughout the evening of Inauguration Day in the Washington D.C. area and are invitation-only, attended by guests who are issued pre-paid tickets. The President, First Lady
, Vice-President and his spouse
, all make personal appearances at each of the inaugural balls held in their honor. Catered food, beverages, and live entertainment performed by national and globally acclaimed musicians are provided at the inaugural balls.
Other inaugural balls, unofficial and often less formal that occur before and on Inauguration Day, are given by state societies
, businesses, and private organizations.
has evolved over time. The first inaugural ball was held by sponsors on May 7, 1789 in New York City
, one week after the first inauguration of George Washington
. In 1809, Dolley Madison
hosted a gala at Long's Hotel in Washington D.C. after the first inauguration of James Madison was held earlier in the day at the United States Capitol
. A total of 400 tickets were sold for $4 a piece. In 1833, two balls were held for the second inauguration of Andrew Jackson and in 1841, a third ball was added for the inauguration of William Henry Harrison. For the inaugurations of Zachary Taylor in 1848, James Buchanan in 1857, and the second inauguration of Ulysses S. Grant
in 1873, temporary buildings were constructed at Judiciary Square. In 1865, a ball was held for Abraham Lincoln's second inauguration
in the Model Room at the United States Patent Office, the first ball held in a government building, while in 1869, Grant during his first inauguration
, was honored with an inaugural ball held at the Treasury Building
. Between 1885 and 1909, inaugural balls were held at the National Museum Building (now the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building) and the Pension Building.
Other presidents have cancelled inaugural balls for various reasons. Franklin Pierce
, who was mourning the recent death of his son in 1853, Woodrow Wilson
, who in 1913 felt that inaugural balls were too expensive, and Warren G. Harding
, who in 1921 wanted to set an example of simplicity, all opted to end the custom of inaugural balls. Private parties known as "charity balls", were held during the second inauguration of Calvin Coolidge
in 1925, for Herbert Hoover
in 1929, and especially during the depression and World War II era inaugurations of Franklin D. Roosevelt
in 1933, 1937, 1941, and 1945.
Official inaugural balls were not reinstated until the Second inauguration of Harry S. Truman
in 1949. Due to their growing popularity, the number of inaugural balls grew starting in the 1950s. During the 1953 inauguration of Dwight D. Eisenhower
, there were two balls and by 1957, there were a total of four balls held for Eisenhower's second inauguration
. A fifth was added for the Inauguration of John F. Kennedy in 1961.
Reflecting the mood of previous presidents in the early 20th century, Jimmy Carter
stripped his 1977 inaugural balls of their frivolity and glamor, charging no more than $25 per ticket. By 1997, the number of inaugural balls reached a peak of fourteen during the second inauguration of Bill Clinton
. However, the number was reduced to eight for the first inauguration of George W. Bush
in 2001 and nine for his second inauguration
in 2005.
For the most recent inaugural balls held during the 2009 inauguration of Barack Obama
, 10 official and 121 unofficial inaugural balls were given.
White tie
White tie is the most formal evening dress code in Western fashion. It is worn to ceremonial occasions such as state dinners in some countries, as well as to very formal balls and evening weddings...
and black tie
Black tie
Black tie is a dress code for evening events and social functions. For a man, the main component is a usually black jacket, known as a dinner jacket or tuxedo...
, held to celebrate the commencement of a new term of the President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
. Planned and sanctioned by the Presidential Inaugural Committee, the official inaugural balls occur throughout the evening of Inauguration Day in the Washington D.C. area and are invitation-only, attended by guests who are issued pre-paid tickets. The President, First Lady
First Lady of the United States
First Lady of the United States is the title of the hostess of the White House. Because this position is traditionally filled by the wife of the president of the United States, the title is most often applied to the wife of a sitting president. The current first lady is Michelle Obama.-Current:The...
, Vice-President and his spouse
Second Lady of the United States
Second lady of the United States is an informal title for the wife of the vice president of the United States, coined in contrast to the first lady ....
, all make personal appearances at each of the inaugural balls held in their honor. Catered food, beverages, and live entertainment performed by national and globally acclaimed musicians are provided at the inaugural balls.
Other inaugural balls, unofficial and often less formal that occur before and on Inauguration Day, are given by state societies
National Conference of State Societies
The National Conference of State Societies is an umbrella organization for all societies representing states in the United States of America.-History:...
, businesses, and private organizations.
History
The tradition of presidential inaugural balls in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
has evolved over time. The first inaugural ball was held by sponsors on May 7, 1789 in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, one week after the first inauguration of George Washington
First inauguration of George Washington
The first inauguration of George Washington as the first President of the United States took place on April 30, 1789.The inauguration marked the commencement of the first four-year term of George Washington as President and John Adams as Vice President...
. In 1809, Dolley Madison
Dolley Madison
Dolley Payne Todd Madison was the spouse of the fourth President of the United States, James Madison, and was First Lady of the United States from 1809 to 1817...
hosted a gala at Long's Hotel in Washington D.C. after the first inauguration of James Madison was held earlier in the day at the United States Capitol
United States Capitol
The United States Capitol is the meeting place of the United States Congress, the legislature of the federal government of the United States. Located in Washington, D.C., it sits atop Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall...
. A total of 400 tickets were sold for $4 a piece. In 1833, two balls were held for the second inauguration of Andrew Jackson and in 1841, a third ball was added for the inauguration of William Henry Harrison. For the inaugurations of Zachary Taylor in 1848, James Buchanan in 1857, and the second inauguration of Ulysses S. Grant
Second inauguration of Ulysses S. Grant
The second inauguration of Ulysses S. Grant as the 18th President of the United States took place on March 4, 1873. The inauguration marked the commencement of the second four-year term of Ulysses S. Grant as President and the partial term of Henry Wilson as Vice President. Chief Justice Salmon P....
in 1873, temporary buildings were constructed at Judiciary Square. In 1865, a ball was held for Abraham Lincoln's second inauguration
Second inauguration of Abraham Lincoln
The second inauguration of Abraham Lincoln as the 16th President of the United States took place on March 4, 1865. The inauguration marked the commencement of the second term of Abraham Lincoln as President and only term of Andrew Johnson as Vice President. Chief Justice Salmon P...
in the Model Room at the United States Patent Office, the first ball held in a government building, while in 1869, Grant during his first inauguration
First inauguration of Ulysses S. Grant
The first inauguration of Ulysses S. Grant as the 18th President of the United States took place on March 4, 1869. The inauguration marked the commencement of the first four-year term of Ulysses S. Grant as President and Schuyler Colfax as Vice President. Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase administered...
, was honored with an inaugural ball held at the Treasury Building
Treasury Building (Washington, D.C.)
The Treasury Building in Washington, D.C. is a National Historic Landmark building which is the headquarters of the United States Department of the Treasury....
. Between 1885 and 1909, inaugural balls were held at the National Museum Building (now the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building) and the Pension Building.
Other presidents have cancelled inaugural balls for various reasons. Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States and is the only President from New Hampshire. Pierce was a Democrat and a "doughface" who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Pierce took part in the Mexican-American War and became a brigadier general in the Army...
, who was mourning the recent death of his son in 1853, Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
, who in 1913 felt that inaugural balls were too expensive, and Warren G. Harding
Warren G. Harding
Warren Gamaliel Harding was the 29th President of the United States . A Republican from Ohio, Harding was an influential self-made newspaper publisher. He served in the Ohio Senate , as the 28th Lieutenant Governor of Ohio and as a U.S. Senator...
, who in 1921 wanted to set an example of simplicity, all opted to end the custom of inaugural balls. Private parties known as "charity balls", were held during the second inauguration of Calvin Coolidge
Second inauguration of Calvin Coolidge
The second inauguration of Calvin Coolidge took place on March 4, 1925 marking the beginning of his second term as the thirtieth president of the United States. Chief Justice and former president William H. Taft administered the Oath of office...
in 1925, for Herbert Hoover
Inauguration of Herbert Hoover
The inauguration of Herbert Hoover took place on March 4, 1929 marking the beginning of his tenure as the thirty-first president of the United States. Chief Justice and former president William H. Taft administered the Oath of office This was the first time a Presidential inauguration to be...
in 1929, and especially during the depression and World War II era inaugurations of Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
in 1933, 1937, 1941, and 1945.
Official inaugural balls were not reinstated until the Second inauguration of Harry S. Truman
Second inauguration of Harry S. Truman
The second inauguration of Harry S. Truman as the 33rd President of the United States was held on January 20, 1949. The inauguration marked the commencement of the second four-year term of Harry S. Truman as President and the only four-year term of Alben W. Barkley as Vice President. Chief Justice...
in 1949. Due to their growing popularity, the number of inaugural balls grew starting in the 1950s. During the 1953 inauguration of Dwight D. Eisenhower
First inauguration of Dwight D. Eisenhower
The first inauguration of Dwight D. Eisenhower as the 34th President of the United States was held on January 20, 1953. The inauguration marked the commencement of the first four-year term of Dwight D. Eisenhower as President and Richard Nixon as Vice President. Chief Justice Fred M. Vinson...
, there were two balls and by 1957, there were a total of four balls held for Eisenhower's second inauguration
Second inauguration of Dwight D. Eisenhower
The second inauguration of Dwight D. Eisenhower as the 34th President of the United States was held privately on January 20, 1957 and publicly the following day, January 21, 1957. The inauguration marked the commencement of the second four-year term of Dwight D. Eisenhower as President and Richard...
. A fifth was added for the Inauguration of John F. Kennedy in 1961.
Reflecting the mood of previous presidents in the early 20th century, Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
stripped his 1977 inaugural balls of their frivolity and glamor, charging no more than $25 per ticket. By 1997, the number of inaugural balls reached a peak of fourteen during the second inauguration of Bill Clinton
Second inauguration of Bill Clinton
January 20, 1997 signified both the second inauguration of Bill Clinton as President of the United States as well as being the last inauguration of a president in the 20th century. Born August 19, 1946 in the town of Hope, Arkansas, Bill Clinton had a long career in law before his first...
. However, the number was reduced to eight for the first inauguration of George W. Bush
First inauguration of George W. Bush
The first inauguration of George W. Bush as the 43rd President of the United States took place on January 20, 2001. The inauguration marked the commencement of the first four-year term of George W. Bush as President and Dick Cheney as Vice President...
in 2001 and nine for his second inauguration
Second inauguration of George W. Bush
The second inauguration of George W. Bush as the 43rd President of the United States took place on Thursday January 20, 2005. The inauguration marked the beginning of the second term of George W. Bush as President and Dick Cheney as Vice President. Ailing Chief Justice William Rehnquist...
in 2005.
For the most recent inaugural balls held during the 2009 inauguration of Barack Obama
Inauguration of Barack Obama
The inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States took place on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. The inauguration, which set a record attendance for any event held in Washington, D.C., marked the commencement of the four-year term of Barack Obama as President and Joe...
, 10 official and 121 unofficial inaugural balls were given.
See also
- United States presidential inauguration
- Prayers at United States presidential inaugurations