• State Dinner Honoring President Hu Jinato of China
    Chuck Kennedy
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    State Visit
    State Dinner
    This photograph by Chuck Kennedy was taken at a State Dinner held in honor of President Hu Jintao of the People's Republic of China on January 19, 2011. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed the Chinese president for an official State Visit, including an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House grounds earlier in the day. The State Dinner took place in the State Dining Room. Joining the Obamas and Hu Jintao at the central table beside the State Dining Room's fireplace were former President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State (and former first lady) Hillary Rodham Clinton, former President Jimmy Carter, and former first lady Rosalynn Carter.
  • Table Settings for Dinner Celebrating 40th Anniversary of NEH and NEA
    Paul Morse
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    receptions
    In this photograph by Paul Morse, tables are set for a dinner celebrating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts. The dinner took place in the State Dining Room of the White House on November 10, 2005 during the George W. Bush administration. First Lady Laura Bush selected pieces of the Ronald Reagan State China Service for each table setting and decorated the tables with centerpieces of vermeil vases adorned with roses. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities Act of 1965 that established both independent government agencies.
  • President Johnson Delivers "The American Promise" Speech
    Cecil Stoughton
    speeches
    bills
    Washington, D.C.
    U.S. Capitol
    Congress
    This photograph by Cecil Stoughton is of President Lyndon B. Johnson at the speaker's podium in the House Chamber of the United States Capitol addressing a Joint Session of Congress on March 15, 1965. Johnson delivered the delivered his "Special Message to the Congress: The American Promise" speech, which urged the passage of the Voting Rights Act. The speech was broadcast nationwide.
  • Dr. Biden On Stage with Jon Batiste at France State Dinner
    Matthew D'Agostino
    State Visit
    State Dinner
    South Lawn
    South Grounds
    In this photograph First Lady Dr. Jill Biden stands on stage with singer-songwriter Jon Batiste at a State Dinner held in honor of President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic on December 1, 2022. The State Dinner was part of Macron's official State Visit with President Joseph R. Biden, and was preceded earlier in the day by a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn and a joint press conference with Biden and Macron in the East Room of the White House. The State Dinner took place under a tent on the South Lawn and included decor in red, white, and blue - the common colors on the flags of the United States and France. Batiste performed for the honored guest. This was Biden's first State Visit as president. This photograph was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association.
  • President Biden Holds Joint Press Conference with President Macron
    Matthew D'Agostino
    press
    State Visit
    State Floor
    Head of State
    East Room
    In this photograph President Joseph R. Biden and President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic hold a joint press conference on December 1, 2022 in the East Room of the White House. The press conference was preceded by a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn where President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden welcomed Macron and Brigette Macron, spouse of the French president, for an official State Visit. The State Visit culminated in a State Dinner later that evening. This was Biden's first State Visit as president. This photograph is by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association.
  • President Biden Speaks at State Arrival Ceremony
    Matthew D'Agostino
    State Visit
    State Arrival Ceremony
    South Lawn
    South Grounds
    Head of State
    In this photograph, President Joseph R. Biden speaks at the State Arrival Ceremony held for President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic on December 1, 2022. Macron can be seen on stage beside President Biden. The arrival ceremony, the first part of Macron's official State Visit, took place on the South Lawn and was followed by a press conference with President Biden and Macron and, later that evening, a State Dinner. First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Brigette Macron, spouse to the president of France, were in attendance at the arrival ceremony and at the day's other events. This was Biden's first State Visit as president. This photograph was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association.
  • Arrival Ceremony in Honor of Queen Elizabeth II
    Joseph H. Bailey
    State Visit
    South Lawn
    South Grounds
    Head of State
    State Arrival Ceremony
    This photograph of President George H. W. Bush and Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain on the reviewing stand during an Arrival Ceremony held in her honor was taken by Joseph H. Bailey on May 14, 1991. The ceremony was held on the South Lawn of the White House Grounds. On the right side of the reviewing stand are Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and First Lady Barbara Bush. The Bushes also honored Queen Elizabeth's visit with a State Dinner in the evening. Her visit was the start of a13 day tour of the United States.
  • President Reagan Signs the Reparations Bill for Japanese-Americans
    Pete Souza
    signing
    Eisenhower Executive Office Building
    bills
    In this photograph by Pete Souza, President Ronald Reagan signs the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 on August 10, 1988 in room 450 of the Old Executive Office Building, now called the Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building. The Civil Liberties Act of 1988 provided redress for the Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II. Present at the signing were Senator Pete Wilson of California, Senator Spark M. Matsunaga of Hawaii, Representative Norman Yoshio Mineta of California, Representative Bill Lowery of California, and Representative Robert T. Matsui of California, among others.
  • President Obama Meets with Japanese-American World War II Veterans
    Pete Souza
    ceremonies
    West Wing
    Oval Office
    military
    In this photograph by Pete Souza, President Barack Obama returns the salute of Tommie Okabayashi in the Oval Office on February 18, 2014. Okabayashi was one of seven surviving Japanese American World War II veterans President Obama met with that day at the White House. In 2010, President Obama signed into law the legislation passed by Congress to reward the Congressional Gold Medal to the 33,000 second-generation Japanese American soldiers who fought in World War II. The Congressional Gold Medal is among the highest civilian awards given by the United States government.
  • Portrait of Liliʻuokalani, Queen of Hawai'i
    Unknown
    This portrait photograph of Liliʻuokalani, Queen of Hawai'i, was taken circa 1891, around the time of the beginning of her reign. Liliʻuokalani was the last sovereign of the Kingdom of Hawai'i before it was overthrown by the United States on January 17, 1893. She was the sister of Kalākaua, King of Hawai'i, who was the first head of state to be honored with a formal State Dinner, held in 1874 and hosted by President Ulysses S. Grant and First Lady Julia Dent Grant at the White House. Liliʻuokalani herself would visit the White House on numerous occasions.
  • President Eisenhower Signs the Hawai'i Admission Act of 1959
    Abbie Rowe
    bill
    signing
    Oval Office
    West Wing
    This photograph by Abbie Rowe of President Dwight D. Eisenhower signing the Hawai'i Admission Act of 1959 in the Oval Office was taken on March 18, 1959. Standing next to him is Henry R. McPhee, associate special counsel to President Eisenhower. In June of 1959 the citizens of Hawai'i voted on a referendum to accept the statehood bill and on August 21, 1959, President Eisenhower signed the official proclamation admitting Hawai'i as the 50th state. The Oval Office is located in the West Wing of the White House.
  • President Eisenhower Formally Admits Hawai'i into the United States
    U.S. Army Pictorial Agency
    signing
    This photograph is of President Dwight D. Eisenhower at the signing of the proclamation formally admitting Hawai'i as the 50th state to join the union. Pictured with President Eisenhower are Secretary of the Interior Fred A. Seaton, Representative Daniel K. Inouye of Hawai'i, Secretary of the Hawai'i Territory Edward E. Johnston, Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn, Vice President Richard M. Nixon, Lt. Col. James S. Cook, Jr., and Lt. Gen. Andrew T. McNamara. This photograph was taken on August 21, 1959 by a member of the U.S. Army Pictorial Agency.
  • President Eisenhower Signs the Hawai'i Admission Act of 1959
    Abbie Rowe
    Oval Office
    West Wing
    signing
    bill
    This photograph by Abbie Rowe of President Dwight D. Eisenhower signing the Hawai'i Admission Act of 1959 in the Oval Office was taken on March 18, 1959. Standing next to him is Henry R. McPhee, associate special counsel to President Eisenhower. In June of 1959 the citizens of Hawai'i voted on a referendum to accept the statehood bill and on August 21, 1959, President Eisenhower signed the official proclamation admitting Hawai'i as the 50th state. The Oval Office is located in the West Wing of the White House.
  • President Clinton Signs Official Apology to Native Hawaiians
    Sharon Farmer
    Oval Office
    bills
    signing
    commeration
    West Wing
    This photograph by Sharon Farmer of President Bill Clinton signing Public Law 103-150 in the Oval Office was taken on November 23, 1993. The resolution acknowledged the 100th anniversary of the January 17, 1893 overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai'i and offered an apology to Native Hawaiians on behalf of the United States. Vice President Al Gore joined President Clinton alongside Hawai'i's representatives in Congress: Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Senator Daniel K. Akaka, Representative Patsy T. Mink, and Representative Neil Abercrombie.
  • Black Cloth Composite
    White House Historical Association
    north view
    funerals
    WHHA
    State Floor
    North Portico
    East Room
    White House Collection
    This composite is made of fashion plates showing mourning wear, an illustration of the President Abraham's Lincoln lying in state in the East Room of the White House, and the North Portico draped in black cloth in mourning for President James Garfield. The image was used for the digital exhibit called "Black Cloth: Mourning Dress and Drapery at the White House." It may only be used for press and publicity purposes related to the exhibit. All other uses must be approved by the White House Historical Association in writing.
  • President Carter Arrives at Camp David to Discuss Iran Hostage Crisis
    Marion S. Trikosko
    Camp David
    travel
    meetings
    crisis & controversy
    This photograph by Marion S. Trikosko captures President Jimmy Carter arriving at Camp David in Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland on November 23, 1979. Accompanying President Carter on the helicopter trip from the White House to Camp David was, from left to right, Secretary of Defense Harold Brown, Secretary of State Cyrus R. Vance, and Vice President Walter F. Mondale. The group was on hand to meet and discuss the Iran Hostage Crisis, which began earlier that month, on November 4. The hostages would be held for 444 days, until January 20, 1981. Camp David was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, then called Shangri-La, as a presidential retreat. President Dwight D. Eisenhower renamed the retreat Camp David after his grandson, David Eisenhower.
  • Mrs. Obama Announces the Academy Award for Best Picture
    Pete Souza
    arts & culture
    Ground Floor
    Diplomatic Reception Room
    ceremonies
    merits & awards
    In this photograph by Pete Souza, First Lady Michelle Obama announces the Academy Award winner for Best Picture on February 24, 2013. Her appearance on the live televised Oscar ceremony was filmed in the Diplomatic Reception Room on the Ground Floor of the White House. The winner of Best Picture, "Argo", was a film about the rescue of six United States diplomats who sought safety at the home of the Canadian ambassador to Iran during the 1979 to 1981 Iran Hostage Crisis in Tehran.
  • South Lawn Ceremony for Freed American Hostages
    Unknown
    South Grounds
    South Lawn
    South Portico
    military
    honor guards
    This photograph was taken at a ceremony held on the South Lawn of the White House in honor of the freed American hostages who were held in Iran. The ceremony, held on January 27, 1981, included a speech by President Ronald Reagan, who was just seven days into his first administration. 66 United States citizens, diplomats, and military personnel were held in the U.S. embassy in Tehran beginning on November 4, 1979 and lasting for 444 days. On January 20, 1981, the remaining 52 hostages still in captivity were finally released.
  • President Ford Discusses Aid to Cambodia with Senators and Advisors
    Bruce Dale
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    staff
    West Wing
    Oval Office
    Congress
    In this photograph, taken March 6, 1975 by Bruce Dale, President Gerald R. Ford meets with United States Senators and advisors to discuss aid to Cambodia. Senator Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota; Senator Clifford P. Case of New Jersey; Senator John Sparkman of Alabama; John Ortho Marsh, Jr., counselor to the president; Max Friedersdorf, White House assistant for Congressional Relations; Lt. Gen. Brent Snowcroft, deputy assistant to the president for National Security Affairs; and William T. Kendall, deputy assistant for Legislative Affairs. Earlier, Humphrey had served as Vice President of the United States under President Lyndon B. Johnson.
  • Robert Redford Visits West Wing Staff
    Bruce Dale
    staff
    White House Guests
    West Wing
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    This photograph of members of the West Wing staff meeting with actor Robert Redford was taken on March 6, 1975 by Bruce Dale during the administration of Gerald R. Ford. The group met with the actor in an office in the West Wing. President Ford's daughter, Susan Ford, and press secretary Ron Nessen were also on hand for the meeting.
  • Lynda Johnson and Chuck Robb Cutting Wedding Cake
    Unknown
    wedding
    military
    East Room
    State Floor
    This photograph of Lynda Johnson and Capt. Charles S. Robb cutting their wedding cake was taken on December 9, 1967 in the East Room. Per Marine Corps tradition, the couple uses a saber to cut through the five-layer cake, as they become the 15th couple to be married in the White House. Immediately following the cake-cutting ceremony, the couple performed their first dance.
  • Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty is Signed on the North Lawn
    Unknown
    Head of State
    North Lawn
    This is a photograph of President Jimmy Carter clasping hands with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the signing of the Egypt-Israeli Peace Treaty on the North Lawn, March 26, 1979.
  • The Carter Family at the Democratic National Convention
    Warren K. Leffler
    First Family
    New York City
    New York
    This photograph of the Carter family was taken by Warren K. Leffler at the Democratic National Convention in New York City on July 15, 1976. In the photograph is soon-to-be president Jimmy Carter kissing his wife, Rosalynn Carter. They are surrounded by family, including President Carter's mother, Lillian, and their children Jack, James Earl III (Chip), Donnel, and Amy. Carter would go on to defeat President Gerald R. Ford in the presidential election that November and, on January 20, 1977, would be inaugurated as the 39th President of the United States.
  • President and Dr. Biden Welcome President of France to State Arrival Ceremony
    Matthew D'Agostino
    military
    State Visit
    State Arrival Ceremony
    South Grounds
    This photograph of President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden at a State Arrival Ceremony held in honor of President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic was taken on December 1, 2022 by Matthew D'Agostino. The State Arrival Ceremony took place on the South Lawn of the White House Grounds ahead of a press conference with President Biden and Macron and, later that evening, a State Dinner. In this photograph, President and Dr. Biden are seen greeting the arrival of the vehicle transporting Macron and Brigitte Macron, spouse to the French president, to the ceremony. This was Biden's first State Visit as president.
  • President and Dr. Biden Welcome President of France to State Arrival Ceremony
    Matthew D'Agostino
    military
    State Visit
    State Arrival Ceremony
    South Grounds
    This photograph of President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden at a State Arrival Ceremony held in honor of President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic was taken on December 1, 2022 by Matthew D'Agostino. The State Arrival Ceremony took place on the South Lawn of the White House Grounds ahead of a press conference with President Biden and Macron and, later that evening, a State Dinner. In this photograph, President and Dr. Biden are seen greeting the arrival of the vehicle transporting Macron and Brigitte Macron, spouse to the French president, to the ceremony. This was Biden's first State Visit as president.