20/01/2009

UK Events Celebrate Barack Obama Historic Inauguration

Events across Britain are being held to celebrate the historic inauguration of US President-elect, Barack Obama.

A number of parties to celebrate Mr Obama's success as the 44th President of the United States are due to take place in London, Belfast, Edinburgh, Leeds and Liverpool.

American singer Kelly Rowland and British performer Mica Paris are among the stars to attend the 'Yes We Did' inauguration party at the Intercontentinental Hotel, in Park Lane, London. The celebration will recognise the achievements of black Britons.

The Ibbamo Trust - a charity which helps people reach their full potential - is to host a 20109 Change party at the O2 arena's ingigO2.

Meanwhile live screening of the event and music from local DJs will take place at the Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre in Toxteth, Liverpool, and a screening and party will take place at Queen’s University Belfast.

Oxford will also pay homage to Obama's Hawaiian roots - a Hawaiian luau will create a party atmosphere at the Kukui bar where party guests will include Oxford Union president Charlie Holt.

Up to two million people are expected to crowd the grass of the National Mall, in Washington DC to witness the historic event of the US's first African-American president.

A further 1.5 billion worldwide people are expected to tune in to watch the inauguration of the son of a Kansas-born white woman and a Kenyan-born black father at 12.00 (1700 GMT).

(JM/BMcC)

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