For several days in January 2009, Smithsonian Student Travel led thousands of students on tours of Washington, D.C., for the Presidential Inauguration festivities. Our travelers were a part of history as they joined millions on the National Mall to witness the swearing-in ceremonies and speeches.

Group Leader Cassie S. said of her class trip, “I think the most memorable part for my students and me will be the Inauguration (ceremony). The crowds were thick but amiable…We experienced history…Having been there, we truly felt a part of it.”

Read more about the experiences of some Smithsonian Student Travel Inauguration 2009 tour groups below. You can also browse some of our most popular Washington, D.C. field trips »

California

• The Orange County Register – January 2, 2009:
  Fundraising teens to attend Obama inauguration

  
  

• La Jolla Light – January 14, 2009:
  Local students go to inauguration

  
  

• The Manteca Bulletin – January 17, 2009:
  Sierra High junior attending Obama's inauguration

  
  

• The Sacramento Bee – December 19, 2009:
  Local students will travel to D.C. for Obama inauguration

  
  

Central

• Chicago Tribune – October 20, 2009:
  Students raising money for trip to inaugural

  
  

• News 4 KVOA Houston – January 13, 2009:
  Vail students to attend inauguration

  
  

• Star-Telegram – January 14, 2009:
  Anticipating a historic inauguration

  
  

• Chronicle-Tribune – January 16, 2009:
  Groups prep for trip to D.C.

  
  

• Rocky Mountain News – January 17, 2009:
  Colorado kids from town of 330 head from ranch to "real world"

  
  

• The Courier News – January 18, 2009:
  Students to witness Obama take oath

  
  

• The Naperville Sun – January 18, 2009:
  Central students have prime seat to history

  
  

• The Daily Times – January 19, 2009:
  Locust Grove students to witness inauguration

  
  

• Fort Wayne Daily News – January 19, 2009:
  Obama, stars thrill crowd at D.C. Mall

  
  

• The Naperville Sun – January 19, 2009:
  Live from student ball on inauguration eve

  
  

• Scripps News – January 19, 2009:
  Kids from tiny Colorado town brace for inauguration crowd

  
  

• Chronicle-Tribune – January 20, 2009:
  The Scoop from D.C.

  
  

• The Naperville Sun – January 20, 2009:
  Trip to capital exciting, frustrating for students; But crowds can’t ruin once-in-a-lifetime journey

  
  

Northeast

• BerksMontNews.com – January 13, 2009:
  Exeter students to attend inauguration in D.C.

  
  

• The Morning Call – January 17, 2009:
  History or bust: Crowds, cold won't stop students from inauguration trip

  
  

• NBC 40 WMGM Atlantic City – January 17, 2009:
  Area high school students set to take in the presidential inauguration

  
  

Northwest

• Seattle Post-Intelligencer – January 20, 2009:
  Seattle-area kids get close-up to history in D.C.

  
  

Southeast

• DeSoto Times-Tribune – January 11, 2009:
  DeSoto students to attend inauguration

  
  

• WCNC Charlotte – January 14, 2009:
  Local students excited about attending inauguration

  
  

• WCNC Charlotte – January 14, 2009:
  Charlotte students headed to inauguration

  
  

• Northeaster Mississippi Daily Journal – January 17, 2009:
  Students to witness history

  
  

• Press Register – January 17, 2009:
  Students and educators to travel to D.C.

  
  

• The Post-Searchlight – January 19, 2009:
  Students going to Obama's inauguration

  
  

• DeSoto Times-Tribune – January 20, 2009:
  A monumental moment: Locals among millions in D.C. to witness history

  
  

• The Daily Reflector – January 22, 2009:
  Witnessing history

  
  

Southwest

• East Valley Tribune – January 16, 2009:
  E.V. students to see inauguration in D.C.

  
  

• The Arizona Republic – January 17, 2009:
  Gilbert residents D.C.-bound for Obama inauguration