Mary Lincoln

Mary Todd Lincoln's first inauguration gown featured an interchangeable bodice - a boned and drop-sleeved version, as well as the lace-tipped version shown here.

Jacqueline Kennedy

Jacqueline Kennedy's first inauguration gown includes a chiffon overlay above a beaded strapless bodice.

First Ladies 11_2011

Michelle Obama's first inauguration gown is displayed along with several other first ladies' gowns. Traditionally, the first lady donates their first inauguration gown to the museum for posterity.

Reagan

Nancy Reagan's 1980 inauguration gown was made to fit her personal style of simple elegance.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt's 1933 inauguration gown featured the simple silhouette favored in that decade.

First Ladies Collection

Mamie Eisenhower's first inaugural dress is a light blush studded with rhinestones and a deep V-neck. Her second inaugural dress was a brighter shade of magenta, with drop shoulders and a circle skirt.

Laura Bush

The inaugural ball gown worn by First Lady Laura Bush in 2001 includes a red Chantilly lace and silk satin gown with crystal beading designed by Michael Faircloth of Dallas, Texas, and a matching coat, shoes and bag.

First Ladies

The dresses of Mary Todd Lincoln and Dolley Madison are displayed at the National Museum of American History.

Clinton

This gown, worn by then-first lady Hillary Clinton, incorporated her love of bold colors with ladylike appeal.

Under the sea

Viper Moray X-ray vision

As the world turns

Streetlights are the source of most of the light seen in this image, but petroleum fires also contribute. A dark blue layer was added to the image to show where land masses are located. European cities are especially bright, and in Egypt, lights glitter along the Nile. Such images have been …

As the world turns

At least five groups of forest fires, some of the largest California had ever seen, can be seen burning in this image. Dry winds blowing off the Mojave Desert, known as the Santa Ana winds, carried these fires toward populated areas. MODIS sensor on Terra satellite, October 2003 Jacques Desc…

As the world turns

Hurricane Alberto swirls in the North Atlantic. Hundreds of miles across, Alberto reached its greatest strength east of Bermuda. SeaWiFS sensor on OrbView-2 satellite, August 2000 Sea WiFS Project, NASA/GSFC and GeoEye

As the world turns

The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge is visible as it crosses San Francisco Bay, on of the world's great harbors. Detailed, high-resolution images reveal buildings, automobiles, and other evidence of densely developed urban centers. IKONOS satellite by GeoEye, October 1999