Obama's inaugural gown enshrined in museum

Obama officially began his tenure as president of the United States in January 2009.

"So, here we are. It's the dress," Michelle Obama said Tuesday about the frock she wore to the inaugural balls. "I am very honored and very humbled, but I have to say that I'm also a little embarrassed by all the fuss being made over my dress. Like many of you, I'm not used to people wanting to put things I've worn on display. So, all of this is a little odd, so forgive me. But, at the same time, I truly recognize the significance of this day.

This gown -- and all of the items that we'll see in this wonderful exhibit -- help us connect with a moment in history in a very real way."

Also on display at the Smithsonian museum are garments worn by Obama's fellow first ladies such as Jackie Kennedy and Mary Todd Lincoln.

"The detail of each gown -- the fabric, the cut, the color -- tells us something much more about each single first lady," Obama said. "It's a visual reminder that we each come from such different backgrounds, from different generations, and from different walks of life. Each gown places us right in the moment and makes us wonder about the intimate details of that evening, like how did she feel in the dress? Did her feet hurt in those shoes? How many times did her husband step on that train? But, more importantly, these gowns and this exhibit uniquely define a moment in our American history."

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