Lots More Information
Travel broadens the mind, but the airport can kill your enthusiasm for exploring the world. Don't cancel that trip – get the know-how you need to make it to your destination with minimal hassle. Read more »
Author's Note: The 10 Most Amazing Parties of All Time
The most impressive party I've ever attended was President Ronald Reagan's inaugural ball in 1984. Or, more accurately, the most important party, as the event wasn't that impressive -- certainly nothing like the ones in this article. I was eligible to attend the Youth Ball, one of several parties held after the inauguration ceremony. The decorations and food were minimal, and President and Mrs. Reagan stopped in for just a dance or two, quickly departing to spend the bulk of their time at the more important balls attended by the nation's movers and shakers. But hey, at least I can brag that I attended a presidential inaugural ball.
Related Articles
- 5 Super Bowl Party Games
- 10 Deities That Like to Party
- How the Boston Tea Party Worked
- The World's Most Legendary Shindigs
- How Carnival Works
- How Burning Man Works
- How the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series Works
Sources
- Basye, Ali. "It Was the Most Lavish Party of the 20th Century." On This Day In Fashion. June 24, 2010. (Dec. 27, 2012) http://onthisdayinfashion.com/?p=1710
- Bost, Callie. "14 Of The Most Extravagant Birthday Parties." Business Insider. July 29, 2012. (Dec. 16, 2012) http://www.businessinsider.com/most-expensive-birthday-parties-2012-7?op=1
- Boston Tea Party Historical Society. "What was the Boston Tea Party?" (Dec. 27, 2012). http://www.boston-tea-party.org/
- Britannica. "Caroline Webster Schermerhorn Astor." Dec. 26, 2012. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/39849/Caroline-Webster-Schermerhorn-Astor
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. "CPI Inflation Calculator." Dec. 23, 2012. http://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm
- Campoy-Leffler, Nicole. "10 Most Extraordinary Parties in History." The Daily Meal. Oct. 14, 2011. (Dec. 16, 2012) http://www.thedailymeal.com/10-most-extraordinary-parties-history
- Ellis, Lisa. "Top Ten Most Expensive Parties Ever Thrown." What It Costs. (Dec. 16, 2012) http://topten.whatitcosts.com/top-ten-parties.htm
- Galante, Meredith and Gus Lubin. "The Most Ostentatious Party In US History." Business Insider. Nov. 6, 2012. (Dec. 23, 2012) http://www.businessinsider.com/bradley-martin-ball-of-1897-2012-11
- Hermitage Museum. "1903 Fancy Dress Ball in the Winter Palace." (Dec. 27, 2012) http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/04/b2003/hm4_1_004.html
- History. "Boston Tea Party." (Dec. 27, 2012) http://www.history.com/topics/boston-tea-party
- Jowitt, Deborah. "Russes Revolution." Dance Magazine. (Dec. 16, 2012) http://www.dancemagazine.com/issues/February-2009/Russes-Revolution
- Just Luxe. "10 Most Extraordinary Parties in History." (Dec. 16, 2012) http://www.justluxe.com/inpictures/gallery.php?cid=1662712
- Lynn, Matthew. "The Long, Long Depression." National Review. Jan. 2, 2012. (Dec. 23, 2012) http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/286877/long-long-depression-matthew-lynn#
- Motilo. "News: The Best Parties in History." Dec. 6, 2012. (Dec. 16, 2012) http://magazine.motilo.com/the-best-parties-in-history/
- PBS. "Truman Capote." July 28, 2006. (Dec. 23, 2012) http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/truman-capote/introduction/58/
- Richardson, John. "Expats in Wonderland." Vanity Fair. August 2007. (Dec. 27, 2012) http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/08/picasso-200708
- Schjeldahl, Peter. "Modern Love." The New Yorker. Aug. 6, 2007. (Dec. 27, 2012) http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/artworld/2007/08/06/070806craw_artworld_schjeldahl
- Skarda, Erin. "The 10 Most Lavish Weddings Ever." Time NewsFeed. April 27, 2012. (Dec. 16, 2012) http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/04/27/the-10-most-lavish-weddings-ever/
- The History Box. "Mrs. Astor's Annual Ball: Three Hundred Guests Attended 1-29-1900." (Dec. 16, 2012) http://thehistorybox.com/ny_city/society/printerfriendly/nycity_society_balls_dances_article00222.htm
- The Independent. "The inside story of Truman Capote's Masked Ball." April 25, 2006. (Dec. 23, 2012) http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/the-inside-story-of-truman-capotes-masked-ball-475551.html
- Victor Pinchuk Foundation. "About Victor Pinchuk." (Dec. 27, 2012) http://pinchukfund.org/en/about_pinchuk/biography/
- Willsher, Kim. "French ski resort abuzz over $6.6-million birthday bash." Los Angeles Times. Dec. 18, 2010. (Dec. 27, 2012) http://articles.latimes.com/2010/dec/18/world/la-fg-billionaire-party-20101218
- Woodstock. "The Woodstock Festivals." (Dec. 26, 2012) http://www.woodstock.com/themusic.php
Cite This!
Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks article:
McManus, Melanie Radzicki. "The 10 Most Amazing Parties of All Time" 05 February 2013. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/destinations/travel-guide/10-amazing-parties.htm> 22 May 2013.
Cite
Start the Countdown |
10: Sultan of Brunei's 50th Birthday Party |
9: Truman Capote's Black and White Ball |
8: Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Martin's Party |
7: Paul Poiret's Thousand and Second Night Party |
6: Mrs. Astor's Fifth Avenue Balls |
5: Victor Pinchuk's 50th Birthday Party |
4: Czar Nicholas and Alexandra's 1903 Ball |
3: Opening Night of 'Les Noces' |
2: Woodstock |
1: Boston Tea Party |
Up Next |

