In this photograph taken on July 4, 2010, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama march to music in the Blue Room before heading out onto the South Portico. On the South Portico, President Obama addressed the estimated 1,200 group of military families gathered on the South Lawn for Fourth of July celebrations. Guests ate a traditional Fourth of July barbecue and listened to performances from The Killers, Brandi Carlisle, Cedric the Entertainer, and the United States Marine Band. This photograph was taken by Pete Souza.

In this photograph, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama descend the steps from the South Portico on July 4, 2014. President and Mrs. Obama hosted a barbecue and picnic for military families and members of the White House staff on the South Lawn of the White House Grounds. Prior to the celebration, President Obama took part in a naturalization ceremony for members of the military and their families. This photograph was taken by Pete Souza.

In this photograph, taken on July 4, 1986, President Ronald Reagan speaks at a podium on Governors Island, New York, as international ships parade in New York Harbor. The Statue of Liberty stands tall in the background. July 4, 1986 marked not only the 210th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress, but also the centennial year of the dedication of the Statue of Liberty, as overseen by President Grover Cleveland on October 28, 1886. To celebrate the centennial of the Statue of Liberty and its corresponding restoration, ships from around the world participated in "Operation Sail," a goodwill demonstration of predominately tall mast ships sailing together. This was the third "Operation Sail" that had been held and, like the others, took place during a major American celebration. The first "Operation Sail" was held in the summer of 1964 at the New York World's Fair, having been endorsed in May 1963 by president and sailing enthusiast President John F. Kennedy. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef of the White House from 1966-1987.

This photograph, taken by White House Executive Chef Henry Haller, shows chocolate models of the Statue of Liberty created by White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier for a luncheon on July 4, 1986 on Governors Island in New York City. The lunch was attended by President Ronald Reagan and President François Mitterrand of France. White House Executive Chef Henry Haller, White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, and chef Frank Ruta prepared food for the luncheon in the White House Kitchen. Haller later traveled with the prepared dishes to New York in a Marine Corps helicopter. During the journey, the food was stored in coolers and remained remarkably intact despite the jostling of the helicopter. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.

This photograph, taken by White House Executive Chef Henry Haller on July 4, 1986, provides an aerial view of the Statue of Liberty surrounded by a parade of warships and tall-mast ships participating in "Operation Sail,' an international sailing event held in conjunction with the centennial of the Statue of Liberty. Chef Haller took this photograph from inside the helicopter during his journey to deliver food for a luncheon on Governors Island, New York, also held to celebrate the Statue of Liberty centennial. Present at the luncheon were President Ronald Reagan, First Lady Nancy Reagan, President François Mitterrand of France, his wife, Danielle Mitterrand, and 28 additional guests. The White House culinary team, including Haller, White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, and chef Frank Ruta, prepared the food in the White House Kitchen and transported it to New York by Marine Corps helicopter. Chef Haller traveled with the food and enjoyed breathtaking views of New York Harbor. Despite the bumps and turns of the helicopter, the food remained intact. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.

This photograph shows the interior of a Marine Corps helicopter used to transport White House Executive Chef Henry Haller to New York City for a luncheon on July 4, 1986. President Ronald Reagan and President François Mitterrand of France enjoyed the luncheon as part of a celebration on Governors Island in New York City for the Fourth of July and the centennial of the Statue of Liberty. Haller, White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, and chef Frank Ruta prepared the food for the luncheon at the White House Kitchen, and then Haller traveled with the food to New York via the Marine Corps helicopter. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.

This photograph, taken by White House Executive Chef Henry Haller on July 4, 1986, provides an aerial view of the Statue of Liberty surrounded by a parade of warships and tall-mast ships participating in "Operation Sail," an international sailing event held in conjunction with the centennial of the Statue of Liberty. Chef Haller took this photograph from inside the helicopter during his journey to deliver food for a luncheon on Governors Island, New York, also held to celebrate the Statue of Liberty centennial. Present at the luncheon were President Ronald Reagan, First Lady Nancy Reagan, President François Mitterrand of France, his wife, Danielle Mitterrand, and 28 additional guests. The White House culinary team, including Haller, White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, and chef Frank Ruta, prepared the food in the White House Kitchen and transported it to New York by Marine Corps helicopter. Chef Haller traveled with the food and enjoyed breathtaking views of New York Harbor. Despite the bumps and turns of the helicopter, the food remained intact. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.

This photograph shows the Marine Corps helicopter used to transport White House Executive Chef Henry Haller to New York City for a luncheon on July 4, 1986. President Ronald Reagan and President François Mitterrand of France enjoyed the luncheon as part of a celebration on Governors Island, New York, for the Fourth of July and the centennial of the Statue of Liberty. Executive Chef Henry Haller, White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, and chef Frank Ruta prepared the food for the luncheon at the White House Kitchen, and then Haller traveled with the food to New York via the Marine Corps helicopter. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.

This photograph, taken by White House Executive Chef Henry Haller on July 4, 1986, shows the interior of a Marine Corps helicopter flying towards New York City. The skyline is faintly visible out of the front window of the helicopter. Chef Haller took the photograph during his journey to deliver food for a luncheon on Governors Island, New York. Present at the luncheon were President Ronald Reagan, First Lady Nancy Reagan, President François Mitterrand of France, his wife, Danielle Mitterrand, and 28 additional guests. The luncheon was held to commemorate the centennial of the Statue of Liberty. The White House culinary team, including Haller, White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, and chef Frank Ruta, prepared the food in the White House Kitchen and transported it to New York by Marine Corps helicopter. Chef Haller traveled with the food and enjoyed breathtaking views of New York Harbor. Despite the bumps and turns of the helicopter, the food remained intact. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.

This photograph, taken by White House Executive Chef Henry Haller on July 4, 1986, provides an aerial view from the window of a Marine Corps helicopter flying over New York Harbor. A parade of warships and tall-mast ships float in the harbor for "Operation Sail," an international sailing event held in conjunction with the centennial of the Statue of Liberty. Chef Haller took this photograph during his journey to deliver food for a luncheon on Governors Island, New York, also held to celebrate the Statue of Liberty centennial. Present at the luncheon were President Ronald Reagan, First Lady Nancy Reagan, President François Mitterrand of France, his wife, Danielle Mitterrand, and 28 additional guests. The White House culinary team, including Haller, White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, and chef Frank Ruta, prepared the food in the White House Kitchen and transported it to New York by Marine Corps helicopter. Chef Haller traveled with the food and enjoyed breathtaking views of New York Harbor. Despite the bumps and turns of the helicopter, the food remained intact. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.

This photograph shows the Marine Corps helicopter used to transport White House Executive Chef Henry Haller to New York City for a luncheon on July 4, 1986. President Ronald Reagan and President François Mitterrand of France enjoyed the luncheon as part of a celebration on Governors Island, New York, for the Fourth of July and the centennial of the Statue of Liberty. Executive Chef Henry Haller, White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, and chef Frank Ruta prepared the food for the luncheon in the White House Kitchen, and then Haller traveled with the food to New York via the Marine Corps helicopter. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.

This photograph, taken by White House Executive Chef Henry Haller on July 4, 1986, provides an aerial view from the window of a Marine Corps helicopter flying over New York Harbor. A parade of warships and tall-mast ships travel together for "Operation Sail," an international sailing event held in conjunction with the centennial of the Statue of Liberty. Chef Haller took this photograph during his journey to deliver food for a luncheon on Governors Island, New York, also held to celebrate the Statue of Liberty centennial. Present at the luncheon were President Ronald Reagan, First Lady Nancy Reagan, President François Mitterrand of France, his wife, Danielle Mitterrand, and 28 additional guests. The White House culinary team, including Haller, White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, and chef Frank Ruta, prepared the food in the White House Kitchen and transported it to New York by Marine Corps helicopter. Chef Haller traveled with the food and enjoyed breathtaking views of New York Harbor. Despite the bumps and turns of the helicopter, the food remained intact. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.

This photograph, taken by White House Executive Chef Henry Haller on July 4, 1986, provides an aerial view of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in New York City as seen from inside a Marine Corps helicopter. Chef Haller took the photograph during his journey to deliver food for a luncheon on Governors Island, New York. Present at the luncheon were President Ronald Reagan, First Lady Nancy Reagan, President François Mitterrand of France, his wife, Danielle Mitterrand, and 28 additional guests. The luncheon was held to commemorate the centennial of the Statue of Liberty. The White House culinary team, including Haller, White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, and chef Frank Ruta, prepared the food in the White House Kitchen and transported it to New York by Marine Corps helicopter. Chef Haller traveled with the food and enjoyed breathtaking views of New York Harbor. Despite the bumps and turns of the helicopter, the food remained intact. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.

This photograph, taken by White House Executive Chef Henry Haller on July 4, 1986, provides an aerial view from the window of a Marine Corps helicopter flying over New York Harbor. A parade of warships and tall-mast ships travel together for "Operation Sail," an international sailing event held in conjunction with the centennial of the Statue of Liberty. Chef Haller took this photograph during his journey to deliver food for a luncheon on Governors Island, New York, also held to celebrate the Statue of Liberty centennial. Present at the luncheon were President Ronald Reagan, First Lady Nancy Reagan, President François Mitterrand of France, his wife, Danielle Mitterrand, and 28 additional guests. The White House culinary team, including Haller, White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, and chef Frank Ruta, prepared the food in the White House Kitchen and transported it to New York by Marine Corps helicopter. Chef Haller traveled with the food and enjoyed breathtaking views of New York Harbor. Despite the bumps and turns of the helicopter, the food remained intact. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.

This photograph, taken in July 1986, shows White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier (left) and chef Frank Ruta (right) next to a United States Marine Corps helicopter. That day, President Ronald Reagan traveled to Governors Island, New York, to celebrate the centennial of the Statue of Liberty. For the event, Mesnier, Ruta, and White House Executive Chef Henry Haller prepared food for a luncheon attended by President Reagan, First Lady Nancy Reagan, President François Mitterrand of France, his wife, Danielle Mitterrand, and 28 additional guests. The culinary team prepared the food in the White House Kitchen and transported it to New York by Marine Corps helicopter. Chef Haller traveled with the food and enjoyed breathtaking views of New York Harbor. Despite the bumps and turns of the helicopter, the food remained intact. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.

This photograph, taken by White House Executive Chef Henry Haller on July 4, 1986, provides an aerial view from the window of a Marine Corps helicopter flying towards New York Harbor. Chef Haller took the photograph during his journey to deliver food for a luncheon on Governors Island, New York. Present at the luncheon were President Ronald Reagan, First Lady Nancy Reagan, President François Mitterrand of France, his wife, Danielle Mitterrand, and 28 additional guests. The luncheon was held to commemorate the centennial of the Statue of Liberty. The White House culinary team, including Haller, White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, and chef Frank Ruta, prepared the food in the White House Kitchen and transported it to New York by Marine Corps helicopter. Chef Haller traveled with the food and enjoyed breathtaking views of New York Harbor. Despite the bumps and turns of the helicopter, the food remained intact. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.

This photograph, taken by White House Executive Chef Henry Haller on July 4, 1986, provides an aerial view of the New York skyline and the Statue of Liberty as seen from inside a Marine Corps helicopter. Chef Haller took the photograph during his journey to deliver food for a luncheon on Governors Island, New York. Present at the luncheon were President Ronald Reagan, First Lady Nancy Reagan, President François Mitterrand of France, his wife, Danielle Mitterrand, and 28 additional guests. The luncheon was held to commemorate the centennial of the Statue of Liberty. The White House culinary team, including Haller, White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, and chef Frank Ruta, prepared the food in the White House Kitchen and transported it to New York by Marine Corps helicopter. Chef Haller traveled with the food and enjoyed breathtaking views of New York Harbor. Despite the bumps and turns of the helicopter, the food remained intact. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.

This photograph, taken by White House Executive Chef Henry Haller on July 4, 1986, provides an aerial view of New York Harbor as seen from inside a Marine Corps helicopter. Chef Haller took the photograph during his journey to deliver food for a luncheon on Governors Island, New York. Present at the luncheon were President Ronald Reagan, First Lady Nancy Reagan, President François Mitterrand of France, his wife, Danielle Mitterrand, and 28 additional guests. The luncheon was held to commemorate the centennial of the Statue of Liberty. The White House culinary team, including Haller, White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, and chef Frank Ruta, prepared the food in the White House Kitchen and transported it to New York by Marine Corps helicopter. Chef Haller traveled with the food and enjoyed breathtaking views of New York Harbor. Despite the bumps and turns of the helicopter, the food remained intact. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.

This black-and-white photograph by Abbie Rowe of the National Park Service is of Harry S. Truman meeting with Michael Gene Condatore of Washington in the Oval Office, where Michael presented the president with an oversized "firecracker" that had the president's initials on it.

This photograph shows President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush standing with guests on the Truman Balcony during the 2005 4th of July celebration.

This photograph by Tina Hager shows White House staff and guests enjoying a Fourth of July celebration on the South Lawn, July 4, 2002.

This photograph by Sharon Farmer shows Social Secretary Capricia Marshall and guests enjoying an Independence Day buffet on the roof of the White House.

This painting of the White House on the Fourth of July by American folk artist Patricia Palermino was painted in 1985. Standing under the high pillars of the North Portico are the President and First Lady greeting a parade marching down Pennsylvania Avenue and celebrations across the North Lawn.