The White House

The transportation used by U.S. Presidents has evolved significantly over the years, starting from George Washington's horse-drawn carriage to the modern vehicles like 'Air Force One' and 'The Beast'.

In December 1790, President George Washington signed an Act of Congress declaring that the federal government would reside in a district not exceeding ten miles, marking the beginning of the history of the White House and the nation's capital.

In 1791, George Washington, the first president of the United States, chose the location for the White House.

The White House, the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States, was established in 1792.

Construction of the White House started on October 13, 1792, with the laying of the cornerstone. Enslaved and free African-American laborers, along with European and immigrant workers, were involved in building the main residence and foundations.

In 1796, President George Washington chose the sites flanking the White House as the location for Executive Offices. The designs were approved on his last day in office, but construction was delayed due to financial constraints.

In 1798, the Executive Office location was moved closer to the Capitol, but former President Washington objected and successfully advocated for the original site. Construction then commenced on the Treasury Department southeast of the White House.

Although not fully completed, the White House was ready for occupancy around November 1, 1800. Due to material and labor shortages, the final structure differed from the original grand palace plan by Pierre Charles L'Enfant.

In 1805, Thomas Jefferson held the first Inaugural open house at the White House, where he greeted guests in the Blue Room after the swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. This event marked the beginning of a tradition where Presidents could express their individual style in receiving the public during their stay.

In 1811, the public started calling the building the 'White House'. A myth suggests that white paint was applied during the rebuilding after the Burning of Washington, giving the structure its namesake hue.

In 1817, President James Monroe and his administration moved into the White House, where the South Portico was constructed.

During a chaotic event, callers forced President Andrew Jackson to seek safety in a hotel due to a threatening mob outside the White House.

In 1836, the Treasury Department building was destroyed in a fire. As a result, Robert Mills was hired to design a new building that was considered 'fireproof'.

William Henry Harrison was the ninth President of the United States, serving briefly in 1841.

President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, leading to mourning at The White House. Mary Todd Lincoln grieved for her husband for five weeks, during which many White House holdings were looted.

James A. Garfield briefly served as the twentieth President of the United States in 1881.

During Grover Cleveland's first presidency, he changed the tradition of accommodating large Inaugural crowds at the White House by holding a presidential review of the troops from a grandstand in front of the White House, which later evolved into the official Inaugural parade.

In 1899, Secretary of State John Hay hands the Spanish Ambassador his passport and credentials, signifying the United States declaration of war against Spain.

In 1901, President Theodore Roosevelt officially gave the White House its current name, which has been used ever since.

In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt initiated a significant renovation of the White House, which included moving the President's offices to the newly constructed temporary Executive Office Building, now known as the West Wing. The renovation was carried out by the renowned architectural firm McKim, Mead and White.

President William Howard Taft oversaw the construction of the Oval Office within an enlarged office wing of the White House. This addition became an iconic symbol of the presidency and the White House.

Woodrow Wilson conducted the first press conference on March 15, 1913, marking a significant moment in presidential communication with the media.

In response to rumors about the Congressional Standing Committee of Correspondents choosing reporters for White House press conferences, eleven White House reporters founded the WHCA to support the interests of journalists covering the White House. Despite the rumors being false, the association continued to exist.

In room 208, Cordell Hull dismisses Japanese envoys after receiving news of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

The National Security Council was created in 1947 to advise the President on national security and foreign policy matters.

During Harry S. Truman's presidency, the interior of the White House, except for the third floor, was extensively renovated while the Trumans resided at Blair House.

President Eisenhower held the first televised press conference ever in room 474 on January 19. It was a significant moment in the history of presidential communication.

In 1957, Eisenhower's Advisory Commission on Presidential Office Space recommended the demolition of the Executive Office Building to construct a modern office building.

On January 25, 1961, John F. Kennedy became the first president to hold a live televised news conference, demonstrating his ease with the media. Extensive preparation was required for these major news events as television ownership grew.

On Valentine's Day in 1962, Jacqueline Kennedy conducted a televised tour of the White House, showcasing her restoration efforts to the public.

In 1969, The White House Office of Communications was created to engage with a wider range of reporters and specialty media, including those without White House credentials.

The James S. Brady Press Briefing Room was established by the General Services Administration (GSA), the White House, and the Vosbeck, Vosbeck, Kendrick, and Redinger Firm in Alexandria, Virginia. It is currently known as the 'Press Briefing Room' and is utilized for press conferences, workspace, and broadcasting.

Established in 1976, the Office of Science and Technology Policy advises the President on the impact of science and technology on domestic and international affairs.

Robert Pierpoint of CBS became the first non-print media journalist to be elected head of the White House Correspondents' Association in 1991.

In 1999, the Old Executive Office Building was officially renamed as the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in honor of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

On May 7, 2002, President George W. Bush and the Eisenhower family held a ceremony to rededicate and formally rename the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

President Barack Obama utilized various social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to communicate policy priorities and connect with the public during his presidency.

In 2013, President Barack Obama had solar panels installed on the roof of the White House, marking the first time solar power was used for the president's living quarters.

The White House Historical Association placed a wreath at the gravesite of James Hoban, the Irish immigrant who designed and built the White House, in a ceremony held on Thursday, March 21 at 11:00AM at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

The White House Historical Association's 2024 quarterly series, White House History with Margaret Brennan, will focus on the theme of Diplomacy and the White House. The event will specifically delve into the topic of Women in Diplomacy.

Authors Jonathan Pliska and Rocco Smirne will be hosted by the White House Historical Association on Easter Monday at the White House Visitor Center. Presigned copies of Gigi at the White House! by Giovanna McBride will also be available.