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The White House
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Design Contest
The design of the President's house was still undecided. Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson suggested that an architectual contest would be a good idea. The winner would receive $500 and their design would be built. -
Cornerstone laid
On October 12 1792, the first cornerstone was laid at the site of the new "President's House". After that, Construction began under the direction of architect James Hoban. The president at the time, George Washington, was in Philadelphia when this took place. -
First Resident
John Adams moves into the White House on November 1, 1800. The house was unfinished, but suitable for living. He was accompanied by his wife Abigail later on. -
New Year's Day
By January 1 1801, the White House was nearly completed. President John Adams opened the house to the public. Later That day, the first public reception was held. This would become a yearly tradition until 1932. -
Burning of Washington
During the war of 1812, British troops set fire to the Captial City. The White House and Capital buildings were two of the many structures damaged. The White House's interior was destroyed, but the exterior structure remained intact. -
First Photograph
On March 25, 1815, the first photograph was taken of the White House. The photo was taken by Welsh photographer John Plumbe. This photo is the one he took. -
Adams Wedding
John Adams II, grandson of one president and son of President John Quincy Adams, marries Mary Catherine Hellen. The wedding was held in one of the ballrooms. John Adams II was the only presidential son to ever get married in the house. -
Andrew Jackson's Statue Unveiled
Clark Mills' statue of President Andrew Jackson Was unveiled on thhis date in 1853. This statue is identical to 5 others that are placed all over the United States. The statue is in Lafayette Park -
Emancipation Proclamation Signed
Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation document on New Year's Day in 1863. The meeting where the signing took place was in the Cabinet Room. This room would later on become the Lincoln Bedroom -
Lincoln's Funeral
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First Telephone Installed
During Rutherford B. Hayes' term as president, he had the first telephone installed into the white house. He made the first phone call to Alexander Graham Bell, who was sitting in a room only 13 miles away. There were not many other phones in Washington at that time. -
Cleveland-Folsom Wedding
Grover Cleveland, the 22nd president at the time, married Frances Folsom. The wedding ceremony took place in the Blue Room. president Cleveland was the first president to get married in the White House. -
1st Major Renovation
Around this date in 1902, architect Charles McKim began plans for a major renovation of the mansion. The mansion was too cramped and small for the large and boisterous Roosevelt family. They needed more room for their six children. Also, Theodore Roosevelt added tennis courts to the new design. -
First Presidential Press Conference
On this date in 1913, the firs presidential press conference was held. Woodrow Wilson held it in the Executive offices. Since then, all presidents have made press conferences very common. -
First Christmas Tree
The first Christmas tree was lit on December 24, 1923. President Calvin Coolidge lit the tree in a special ceremony. The tree sat in the northeast quadrant of the The Ellipse near the White House. -
Attic Fire
There was a large fire on the roof. It happened on CHristmas Eve of 1929. President Herbert Hoover had to vacate the executive offices for a short time afterward. -
Fireside Chats Begin
President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave his first radio brodcast from the White House on March 12, 1933. He would continue to brodcast at least once a year. He gave 30 "fireside chats" between 1933 and 1944. The fireside chats are now a well known reminder of FDR's long presidency. -
Truman Family Returns
After the White House was deemed unstable by an inspector, Harry Truman and his family is forced to move out. The house was completely restructured from the inside out, starting in 1948. The Trumans moved into a completely rebuilt and more structurally sound mansion. -
America's First Look
On the evening of February 14, 1962, 3 out of 4 television sets were tuned iton CBS or NBC to watch "A Tour of the White House with Mrs. John F. Kennedy." During this hour long documentary, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and reporter Charles Collingwood took the people of America on an intimate tour of the mansion. This documentary is thought to be the most popular of its time. -
Civil Rights Act Signed
On this date in 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act. The signing was held in the East Room. The Civil Rights Act outlawed major forms of discrimination toward women and African Americans. -
President Nixon Resigns
After being a part of the Watergate scandal and facing almost certain impeachment, President Richard Nixon resigned from office. He is the only president to ever resign from office. His resignation speech was given from the Oval Office. -
Pennsylvania Avenue Closed
Pennsylvania Avenue, the street in front of the White House, is closed. This was done so that new landscaping could be made in front of the mansion. It was reopened shortly. -
Obama Family Moves In
On December 12, 2008, the Obamas moved into the White House two weeks early. This was because President Obama wanted his daughters to be able to start school when classes resumed at their new school. Also, President Obama is the first African American president to live in the White House.
