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The history of the nation's capital, began when President George Washington signed an Act of Congress in December of 1790.
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Construction began when the first cornerstone was laid in October of 1792.
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It was not until 1800, when the White House was nearly completed, that its first residents, President John Adams and his wife Abigail, moved in.
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Thomas Jefferson held the first Inaugural open house in 1805. He also opened the house for public tours, and it has remained open, except during wartime, ever since.
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The White House survived a fire at the hands of the British in 1814 during the War of 1812.
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Another fire in the West Wing of the White House in 1929 while Herbert Hoover was President.
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Throughout much of Harry S. Truman's presidency, the interior of the house was completely renovated. (1945/1953)
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President Clinton's open house on January 21, 1993, renewed a venerable White House Inaugural tradition.
