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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Obama slow dances into history at inaugural ball | Obama slow dances into history at inaugural ball |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| Barack Obama completed his inauguration with a slow, seemingly endless shuffle with first lady Michelle in front of thousands of supporters while being serenaded by Jennifer Hudson at the official inaugural ball in Washington. | Barack Obama completed his inauguration with a slow, seemingly endless shuffle with first lady Michelle in front of thousands of supporters while being serenaded by Jennifer Hudson at the official inaugural ball in Washington. |
| Smiling broadly, the president sang into his wife's ear as Hudson performed Al Green's Let's Stay Together, the song which Obama claimed as his own when he unexpectedly broke into it at a campaign fundraising event a year ago. | Smiling broadly, the president sang into his wife's ear as Hudson performed Al Green's Let's Stay Together, the song which Obama claimed as his own when he unexpectedly broke into it at a campaign fundraising event a year ago. |
| The ritual of the inaugural ball and the first couple's waltz is as much about the first lady's dress as celebrating the peaceful transition of power. | The ritual of the inaugural ball and the first couple's waltz is as much about the first lady's dress as celebrating the peaceful transition of power. |
| This year Michelle Obama was wearing a custom Jason Wu ruby-coloured chiffon and velvet gown, with a handmade diamond ring by designer Kimberley McDonald and shoes by Jimmy Choo. A White House official said the outfit and accessories will go to the National Archive for eventual public display. | This year Michelle Obama was wearing a custom Jason Wu ruby-coloured chiffon and velvet gown, with a handmade diamond ring by designer Kimberley McDonald and shoes by Jimmy Choo. A White House official said the outfit and accessories will go to the National Archive for eventual public display. |
| The Obamas took the stage after performances from Brooklyn indie pop band Fun., country star Brad Paisley and Latin act Maná. But the highlight of the performances was Alicia Keys, who opened the evening by reworking her Girl on Fire into "Obama's on Fire". She told the crowd: "Today is an incredible day and you can feel the energy wherever you go." | The Obamas took the stage after performances from Brooklyn indie pop band Fun., country star Brad Paisley and Latin act Maná. But the highlight of the performances was Alicia Keys, who opened the evening by reworking her Girl on Fire into "Obama's on Fire". She told the crowd: "Today is an incredible day and you can feel the energy wherever you go." |
| Reflecting the more austere times, the inauguration organisers had pared back the celebrations, cutting the number of official balls from ten to two. | Reflecting the more austere times, the inauguration organisers had pared back the celebrations, cutting the number of official balls from ten to two. |
| In 2009, Obama headed to the White House for a drink with family and close friends after the round of balls and he looked as if he needed to repeat the ritual on Monday night, after a day that began with a church service and speech followed by a long walk along Pennsylvania Avenue waving to the crowds. | In 2009, Obama headed to the White House for a drink with family and close friends after the round of balls and he looked as if he needed to repeat the ritual on Monday night, after a day that began with a church service and speech followed by a long walk along Pennsylvania Avenue waving to the crowds. |
| The events, held in the sprawling halls of the Washington convention centre, attracted an estimated crowd of 35,000, among them donors, campaign staff, politicans, armed forces members and supporters who managed to buy tickets online or win them through a lottery. | The events, held in the sprawling halls of the Washington convention centre, attracted an estimated crowd of 35,000, among them donors, campaign staff, politicans, armed forces members and supporters who managed to buy tickets online or win them through a lottery. |
| At the Commander in Chief's Ball, attended mainly by members of the military, Obama expressed thanks to the troops. "This party is just another way to say something we can never say enough: thank you for volunteering, thank you for stepping up, thank you for keeping us strong, thank you for always making us proud," he said. | At the Commander in Chief's Ball, attended mainly by members of the military, Obama expressed thanks to the troops. "This party is just another way to say something we can never say enough: thank you for volunteering, thank you for stepping up, thank you for keeping us strong, thank you for always making us proud," he said. |
| He added: "It is because of you that we were able to end the war in Iraq. Because of you, we delivered justice to Osama bin Laden. Because of you, it is possible to give Afghans a chance to determine their own destiny." | He added: "It is because of you that we were able to end the war in Iraq. Because of you, we delivered justice to Osama bin Laden. Because of you, it is possible to give Afghans a chance to determine their own destiny." |
| He addressed troops in Afghanistan via satellite."Every single day we're thinking of you," he said. | He addressed troops in Afghanistan via satellite."Every single day we're thinking of you," he said. |
| At the main inaugural ball, there were screams and shouts of 'Obama' when the couple appeared just about 9.30pm. The president made no speech, confining himself to dancing. | At the main inaugural ball, there were screams and shouts of 'Obama' when the couple appeared just about 9.30pm. The president made no speech, confining himself to dancing. |
| Among the ball-goers, Wendy Brown, 52, who works in education, said she had travelled from her home in Philadelphia for the inauguration, attending first the speech on the Mall and then the ball. | Among the ball-goers, Wendy Brown, 52, who works in education, said she had travelled from her home in Philadelphia for the inauguration, attending first the speech on the Mall and then the ball. |
| She said she had grown up in a Republican family and was an independent voter who was fully behind Obama's agenda. She described his inauguration speech as "very spirited, very challenging and very progressive". | She said she had grown up in a Republican family and was an independent voter who was fully behind Obama's agenda. She described his inauguration speech as "very spirited, very challenging and very progressive". |
| Cookie Offerman, 48, from Chicago, said she had been invited to the ball because she was on Obama's staff, having worked at the White House, then in preparing for the Democratic convention in Charlotte last year and finally helping with organising the ball. | Cookie Offerman, 48, from Chicago, said she had been invited to the ball because she was on Obama's staff, having worked at the White House, then in preparing for the Democratic convention in Charlotte last year and finally helping with organising the ball. |
| "I am here to celebrate the second term, his overwhelming victory and also to have a really good time," Offerman said. | "I am here to celebrate the second term, his overwhelming victory and also to have a really good time," Offerman said. |
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