Illinois State Society Gala Jan. 19, 2009
Thousands of guests from both Illinois and the East Coast attended a huge Inaugural Gala hosted by the Illinois State Society of Washington, DC on Jan. 19, 2009 at the Renaissance Hotel to celebrate the Inauguration of President Barack Obama from Chicago. It was part of a tradition of nonpartisan Inaugural events that dates back to the Inauguration of President Lincoln in 1861. Many state societies in DC have similar nonpartisan traditions. In 2009 the largest event with 10,000 guests was the Texas State Society Black Tie and Boots party at the very large Gaylord Hotel and the Illinois State Society Gala was the second largest with about 7,000 guests which was all that the Renaissance Hotel could handle on one night.