Britain Celebrates Obama's Inauguration

Today is one of the biggest days in American History with the inauguration of the first black American President.

Britain is not letting this occasion go unmarked and several events are happening to coincide with this special day.

A series of events marking the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States of America are set to take place this side of the Atlantic.

American singer Kelly Rowland will be one of the performers at the Yes We Did inauguration party at the Intercontinental Hotel in Park Lane, central London.
The event will also celebrate the achievements of black Britons and other performers will include British singer and TV presenter Mica Paris.

There will be more celebrations at two balls at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, in central London, and The Davenport Hotel, in Dublin, which will raise money for Democrats Abroad.

The US political party's overseas branch will use the money raised to encourage American voters living abroad to register to vote back home.

Oxford has taken inspiration from Hawaii where the new president was born and spent most of his formative years. A Hawaiian luau will create a party atmosphere at the Kukui bar where party guests will include Oxford Union president Charlie Holt.

American students and staff at Queen's University in Belfast will gather in the Students' Union to watch Mr Obama take his oath.

Vice-chancellor, Professor Peter Gregson, said: "This is an important day for all our American students and staff and we are delighted to be able to give them the opportunity to come together to watch this historic inauguration ceremony.

"I hope that years from now they will look back at Queen's with fond memories when they recall where they were the day Barack Obama was sworn in as America's president.

"This is a day of historical significance for us all, not just the United States."

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20090120/tuk-uk-events-held-to-mark-obama-6323e80.html