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A State Dinner honoring a visiting head of government or reigning monarch is one of the grandest and most glamorous of White House affairs. It is part of an official State Visit and provides the president and first lady the opportunity to honor the visiting head of state and his or her spouse. In this collection, explore the history of
When considering Jimmy Carter’s presidential legacy, many historians, scholars, and foreign policy experts often cite the Camp David Accords. President Carter used Camp David as a backdrop during thirteen days of negotiation between Israeli and Egyptian leaders, before signing the accords at the White House on September 17, 1978. Although Camp David played a critical role in one of Carter’s majo
Have history come alive for students by facilitating a theatrical performance based on events from the War of 1812 with Forged By Fire: Dolley Madison, The White House, and the War of 1812. This play was created by the White House Historical Association’s educators using primary source research and geared towards 4-6 grade students. These student plays were previously performed during fi
Have history come alive for students by facilitating a theatrical performance based on events from the Civil War with Paths to Freedom: Slavery, Emancipation, and the Power of the President. This play was created by the White House Historical Association’s educators using primary source research and geared towards 4-6 grade students. These student plays were previously performed during field tr
Since World War II, an ever-lengthening procession of foreign leaders has come to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to confer on global problems. These dignitaries are often formally entertained at the White House, and an invitation to attend such a function is highly coveted. Certainly a State Dinner to honor a visiting head of government or a reigning monarch is one of the
As the Easter Monday event became more of an attraction, a rule was fixed to limit the number of people coming into the enclosed South Lawn. The rule stated that a "grown person would be admitted only when accompanied by a child" and vice versa. As a result, unescorted egg rollers and childless adults began teaming up at random so