From the New York Observer:

Last night the Waldorf-Astoria hosted the Fifty-Sixth Anniversary International Debutante Ball, and before the procession of girls in white dresses could begin, the master of ceremonies addressed the tuxedo-clad crowd.

“Please stand up if you have a relative who signed the Declaration of Independence,” he implored. There were cheers and, indeed, a smattering of guests rose from their seats. “That’s what this party is all about!”

This stunning display of blue-blood pride came about through a discussion of New York’s cherished Hadley Marie Nagel, the most celebrated ingenue of the night and — it’s safe to say — the presumed Girl Of The Year 2011. Miss Nagel has a family tree that includes two signers of the Declaration of Independence, but at this event, that sort of lineage wasn’t unusual.

Fascinating. I don’t think my great-grandparents could sign their names.

H/T Militza.