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, children mingle and enjoy balloons in the East Room. Visible in the background is a prominent display for an 18th-century crèche, or nativity scene, that was gifted to the White House in 1967.

In this photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel on December 23, 1969, First Lady Pat Nixon sits with an audience of approximately 400 children during a Christmas party she hosted 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. During the party, Mrs. Nixon and the children were treated to selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" ballet, performed by 40 students from the Washington School of Ballet.

This photograph was taken during a Christmas party held for the children of diplomats on December 29, 1965. Here, army musicians from the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps perform in the East Room.

This photograph from a Christmas party for the children of diplomats was taken in the East Room on December 29, 1965 during the Lyndon B. Johnson administration. Here, children enjoy music by a pianist and bassist from the United States Marine Band. The pianist performs on the White House Steinway piano. The 300,000th piano created by Steinway, the piano was presented to President Franklin D. Roosevelt by Steinway & Sons in 1938. The piano replaced an earlier Steinway, the 100,000th made by the company, which had been presented to President Theodore Roosevelt in January 1903.

This photograph was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey on December 14, 1977, during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Rosalynn Carter for the 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. Over 400 children attended the party, where they enjoyed a performance of "The Littlest Clown" by the Broadway Pixie Judy Troupe, a family theater company founded by Judith Ann Abrams in 1965. During the production, first daughter Amy Carter was invited onto the East Room stage and dressed as a clown. In this photograph, Mrs. Carter congratulates the group onstage, including Amy Carter (seated in her clown costume) and distinguished actress Helen Hayes. Hayes, a board member of the Broadway Pixie Judy Troupe, narrated the production.

This photograph was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey on December 14, 1977, during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Rosalynn Carter for the 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. Over 400 children attended the party, where they enjoyed a performance of "The Littlest Clown" by the Broadway Pixie Judy Troupe, a family theater company founded by Judith Ann Abrams in 1965. Here, First Lady Rosalynn Carter and her daughter, Amy, enjoy the performance with an audience of children. White House press corps journalist Helen Thomas and Mary Prince, Amy Carter's nanny, stand behind the audience.

In this photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel on December 23, 1969, First Lady Pat Nixon sits with an audience of approximately 400 children during a Christmas party she hosted 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. During the party, Mrs. Nixon and the children were treated to selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" ballet, performed by 40 students from the Washington School of Ballet.

In this photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel on December 23, 1969, First Lady Pat Nixon sits with an audience of approximately 400 children during a Christmas party she hosted 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. During the party, Mrs. Nixon and the children were treated to selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" ballet, performed by 40 students from the Washington School of Ballet.

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 the children of the Diplomatic Corps. During the party, students from the Washington School of Ballet performed selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" in the East Room. Here, members of the company perform the opening sequence with the United States Marine Band providing musical accompaniment.

In this photograph, taken by Karl Schumacher on December 11, 1974, First Lady Betty Ford sits with an audience of children during the annual White House Christmas party for the children of diplomats. The party was organized 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. The party featured entertainment by magician James Randi as well as appearances by costumed characters including "Mickey Mouse" and "Santa Claus," portrayed by White House aide John E. Nidecker.

In this photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey on December 9, 1985, NBC "Today" show weatherman Willard Scott, dressed as Santa Claus, introduces child actor Emmanuel Lewis during a Christmas party in the East Room hosted by First Lady Nancy Reagan for the children of the Diplomatic Corps. Lewis played the title character in the American television sitcom "Webster" from 1983-1989. In this photograph, Mrs. Reagan and social secretary Linda Faulkner can be seen seated among the children in the audience. 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.

This photograph of child actor Emmanuel Lewis performing in the East Room was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey on December 9, 1985, during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Nancy Reagan for the children of the Diplomatic Corps. The party also featured entertainment by vaudevillian clown Avner Eisenberg and appearances by costumed characters. A television actor, Lewis played the title character in the American sitcom "Webster" from 1983-1989. 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

This photograph was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey on December 14, 1977, during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Rosalynn Carter for the 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. Over 400 children attended the party, where they enjoyed a performance of "The Littlest Clown" by the Broadway Pixie Judy Troupe, a family theater company founded by Judith Ann Abrams in 1965. During the production, first daughter Amy Carter was invited onto the East Room stage and dressed as a clown. In this photograph, Mrs. Carter congratulates the group onstage, including Amy Carter (seated in her clown costume) and distinguished actress Helen Hayes. Hayes, a board member of the Broadway Pixie Judy Troupe, narrated the production.

This photograph was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey on December 14, 1977, during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Rosalynn Carter for the 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. Over 400 children attended the party, where they enjoyed a performance of "The Littlest Clown" by the Broadway Pixie Judy Troupe, a family theater company founded by Judith Ann Abrams in 1965. During the production, first daughter Amy Carter was invited onto the East Room stage and dressed as a clown. In this photograph, members of the theater company including Judith Ann Abrams gesture triumphantly toward Amy Carter, who is seated onstage in her costume.

This photograph was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey on December 14, 1977, during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Rosalynn Carter for the 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. Over 400 children attended the party, where they enjoyed a performance of "The Littlest Clown" by the Broadway Pixie Judy Troupe, a family theater company founded by Judith Ann Abrams in 1965. During the production, first daughter Amy Carter was invited onto the East Room stage and dressed as a clown. Here, Mrs. Carter and Amy watch the performance with the audience of children. White House press corps journalist Helen Thomas and Mary Prince, Amy’s nanny, stand behind the audience.

This photograph was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey on December 14, 1977, during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Rosalynn Carter for the 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. Over 400 children attended the party, where they enjoyed a performance of "The Littlest Clown" by the Broadway Pixie Judy Troupe, a family theater company founded by Judith Ann Abrams in 1965. During the production, first daughter Amy Carter was invited onto the East Room stage and dressed as a clown. In this photograph, Mrs. Carter speaks to the audience of children.

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 the children of the Diplomatic Corps. During the party, students from the Washington School of Ballet performed selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" in the East Room. Here, members of the company perform a pas de deux with the United States Marine Band providing musical accompaniment.

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 the children of the Diplomatic Corps. During the party, students from the Washington School of Ballet performed selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" in the East Room. Here, members of the company perform a pas de deux with the United States Marine Band providing musical accompaniment.

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 the children of the Diplomatic Corps. During the party, students from the Washington School of Ballet performed selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" in the East Room. Here, members of the company perform the "Coffee" (also known as the "Arabian Dance") sequence with the United States Marine Band providing musical accompaniment.

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 the children of the Diplomatic Corps. During the party, students from the Washington School of Ballet performed selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" in the East Room. Here, members of the company perform the opening sequence with the United States Marine Band providing musical accompaniment.

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 the children of the Diplomatic Corps. During the party, students from the Washington School of Ballet performed selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" in the East Room. Here, members of the company perform the battle sequence between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King with the United States Marine Band providing musical accompaniment.

In this photograph, taken National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel on December 23, 1969, students from the Washington School of Ballet perform selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Pat Nixon for the children of the Diplomatic Corps. The United States Marine Band provided musical accompaniment.

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 the children of the Diplomatic Corps. During the party, students from the Washington School of Ballet performed selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" in the East Room. Here, members of the company perform the opening sequence with the United States Marine Band providing musical accompaniment.

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 the children of the Diplomatic Corps. During the party, students from the Washington School of Ballet performed selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" in the East Room. Here, members of the company perform the "Coffee" (also known as the "Arabian Dance") sequence with the United States Marine Band providing musical accompaniment.

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 the children of the Diplomatic Corps. During the party, students from the Washington School of Ballet performed selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" in the East Room. Here, members of the company perform a pas de deux with the United States Marine Band providing musical accompaniment.