After the speech and the parade came the inauguration parties. And, of course, the red dress that had the whole world talking. TIME goes behind the velvet rope, to capture the scene of the Commander in Chief’s Ball.
The Inauguration Party: Photos Inside the Commander in Chief’s Ball
Rick Wilking / Reuters
President Barack Obama waves to the crowd at the Commander in Chief's Ball during presidential inauguration ceremonies in Washington, Jan. 21, 2013.