In this photograph, taken by Robert L. Knudsen, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy is escorted through the State Dining Room by Naval Aide Commander Tazwell T. Shepard, Jr. following President John F. Kennedy's State Funeral on November 25, 1963. Following his assassination in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963, Kennedy's body lay in state in the East Room of the White House and the United States Capitol Building prior to burial at Arlington Cemetery three days later. The funeral service was held at St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington, D.C. This photograph was taken during the post-funeral reception at the White House.

This photograph was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel on December 23, 1969, during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Pat Nixon for children of the Diplomatic Corps. The party was coordinated by THIS (The Hospitality and Information Service) for Diplomats, a volunteer organization established in 1961 to support newly appointed diplomats and their families transition to life in Washington, D.C. Approximately 400 children between the ages of four and eleven attended the party. The children were treated to a reception of cookies and punch, and a performance by students from the Washington School of Ballet of selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker." Here, a White House social aide helps children of Paraguayan diplomats with balloons. White House social aides are military officers who serve the president and first lady by tactfully guiding guests at social functions.

This photograph was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel on December 23, 1969, during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Pat Nixon for children of the Diplomatic Corps. The party was coordinated by THIS (The Hospitality and Information Service) for Diplomats, a volunteer organization established in 1961 to support newly appointed diplomats and their families transition to life in Washington, D.C. Approximately 400 children between the ages of four and eleven attended the party. The children were treated to a reception of cookies and punch, and a performance by students from the Washington School of Ballet of selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker." Here, a White House social aide helps children of Paraguayan diplomats with balloons. White House social aides are military officers who serve the president and first lady by tactfully guiding guests at social functions.

This photograph was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel on December 23, 1969, during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Pat Nixon for children of the Diplomatic Corps. The party was coordinated by THIS (The Hospitality and Information Service) for Diplomats, a volunteer organization established in 1961 to support newly appointed diplomats and their families transition to life in Washington, D.C. Approximately 400 children between the ages of four and eleven attended the party. The children were treated to a reception of cookies and punch, and a performance by students from the Washington School of Ballet of selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker." Here, a White House social aide helps children of Paraguayan diplomats with balloons. White House social aides are military officers who serve the president and first lady by tactfully guiding guests at social functions.

This photograph was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel on December 23, 1969, during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Pat Nixon for children of the Diplomatic Corps. The party was coordinated by THIS (The Hospitality and Information Service) for Diplomats, a volunteer organization established in 1961 to support newly appointed diplomats and their families transition to life in Washington, D.C. Approximately 400 children between the ages of four and eleven attended the party. The children were treated to a reception of cookies and punch, and a performance by students from the Washington School of Ballet of selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker." Here, a White House social aide helps children of Paraguayan diplomats with balloons. White House social aides are military officers who serve the president and first lady by tactfully guiding guests at social functions.

This photograph was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel on December 23, 1969, during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Pat Nixon for children of the Diplomatic Corps. The party was coordinated by THIS (The Hospitality and Information Service) for Diplomats, a volunteer organization established in 1961 to support newly appointed diplomats and their families transition to life in Washington, D.C. Approximately 400 children between the ages of four and eleven attended the party. The children were treated to a reception of cookies and punch, and a performance by students from the Washington School of Ballet of selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker." Here, a White House social aide helps children of Paraguayan diplomats with balloons. White House social aides are military officers who serve the president and first lady by tactfully guiding guests at social functions.

This photograph was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel on December 23, 1969, during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Pat Nixon for children of the Diplomatic Corps. The party was coordinated by THIS (The Hospitality and Information Service) for Diplomats, a volunteer organization established in 1961 to support newly appointed diplomats and their families transition to life in Washington, D.C. Approximately 400 children between the ages of four and eleven attended the party. The children were treated to a reception of cookies and punch, and a performance by students from the Washington School of Ballet of selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker." Here, a White House social aide helps children of Paraguayan diplomats with balloons. White House social aides are military officers who serve the president and first lady by tactfully guiding guests at social functions.

This photograph was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel on December 23, 1969, during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Pat Nixon for children of the Diplomatic Corps. The party was coordinated by THIS (The Hospitality and Information Service) for Diplomats, a volunteer organization established in 1961 to support newly appointed diplomats and their families transition to life in Washington, D.C. Approximately 400 children between the ages of four and eleven attended the party. The children were treated to a reception of cookies and punch, and a performance by students from the Washington School of Ballet of selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker." Here, a White House social aide helps children of Paraguayan diplomats with balloons. White House social aides are military officers who serve the president and first lady by tactfully guiding guests at social functions.

This photograph was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel on December 14, 1969, at the conclusion of a preview performance of the Bob Hope Christmas Show in the East Room. Here, a White House social aide escorts President Richard M. Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon as they exit the East Room. Vice President Spiro T. Agnew and Second Lady Judy Agnew stand respectfully with other guests as the president and first lady depart. Bob Hope's USO-sponsored variety shows entertained American troops around the world for nearly 50 years, and his television specials were an annual tradition for American households for decades. Hope was a recurrent guest at the White House and entertained every president from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Bill Clinton.

This photograph, taken by Joseph J. Scherschel, shows military social aides standing by the official White House Christmas Tree in the Entrance Hall of the White House. Traditionally displayed in the Blue Room, for her first Christmas in the White House First Lady Pat Nixon chose to position the tree in the Entrance Hall. Nicknamed "The American Flower Tree," the tree was decorated with velvet and satin balls featuring each state's flower made by disabled workers in Florida.

This photograph, taken by Joseph J. Scherschel, shows military social aides standing by the official White House Christmas Tree in the Entrance Hall of the White House. Traditionally displayed in the Blue Room, for her first Christmas in the White House First Lady Pat Nixon chose to position the tree in the Entrance Hall. Nicknamed "The American Flower Tree," the tree was decorated with velvet and satin balls featuring each state's flower made by disabled workers in Florida.