200 YEARS AT THE White House.ON November 1, The White House will celebrate its 200th birthday. Here are some of The people and events That have shaped its history. The White House is America's most famous house. It is where Presidents make critical decisions and entertain world leaders For a list of heads of state, see . World leaders is a MMORPG. The game involves creating a state, joining an alliance and going into war. It is mostly played by players from Israel, China, USA, Britain, Brazil and Saudi-Arabia. . It's also their home-a place of both celebrations and sorrows. But the White House isn't just the President's home and office. It is also an enduring symbol of American democracy all over the world. It is a house with an amazing history-a history that belongs to all Americans. Building the President's House In 1790, George Washington picked the site for what he called the "President's House," at what is now 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Pennsylvania Avenue is a street in Washington, D.C. joining the White House and the United States Capitol. Called "America's Main Street," it is the location of official parades and processions, as well as protest marches and civilian protests. , in Washington, D.C. But since the idea of a President was new, no one was sure what his house should look like. Thomas Jefferson suggested that a contest be held, offering $500 for the best design. Washington chose the handsome, yet practical, design of Irish-born architect James Hoban James Hoban (c. 1762 - December 8, 1831) was an Irish-American architect, best known for designing the White House in Washington, D.C.. Life James Hoban was born in Desart, near Callan, County Kilkenny, Ireland. . The first cornerstone was laid on October 13, 1792. Getting money and supplies was difficult, but President Washington kept the work going. Hundreds of slaves built most of this sandstone house. Scottish masons carved intricate designs into the stones. Because sandstone is porous (fluid can enter), the house was sealed with a wash of salt, rice, and glue--which turned the building white. Soon, people began calling it the White House. Theodore Roosevelt made the nickname official in 1901. George Washington is the only President who never lived in the White House. He died in 1799, a year before it was completed. The First Residents America's second President, John Adams, became the first to live in the White House. He moved in on November 1, 1800, even though the house wasn't finished. Building materials Building materials used in the construction industry to create . These categories of materials and products are used by and construction project managers to specify the materials and methods used for . were still strewn strew tr.v. strewed, strewn or strewed, strew·ing, strews 1. To spread here and there; scatter: strewing flowers down the aisle. 2. about the front lawn, which was a sea of mud. There wasn't even a place to dry laundry. So Abigail, his wife, hung a clothesline in the unfinished East Room, now used for formal events. Despite its appearance, Adams recognized the importance of the new house. On his second night there, he wrote, "I pray I beg; I request; I entreat you; - used in asking a question, making a request, introducing a petition, etc.; as, Pray, allow me to go s>. See also: Pray Heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this house and on all that shall here-after inhabit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof." Today, his prayer is engraved en·grave tr.v. en·graved, en·grav·ing, en·graves 1. To carve, cut, or etch into a material: engraved the champion's name on the trophy. 2. on a mantle in the State Dining Room The State Dining Room is the larger of two dining rooms on the State Floor of the White House, the home of the president of the United States. It is used for receptions, luncheons, and larger formal dinners called State Dinners for visiting heads of state. The room seats 140 guests. . A Young Republic Throughout its history, Presidents have found the White House to be a useful political tool. When Thomas Jefferson became President, he wanted to make sure that the new government, and the White House, belonged to the American people An American people may be:
During the War of 1812, the British also understood the importance of the White House as an American symbol. In 1814, British troops set fire to the White House. When it was over, only the charred stone walls remained standing. It took three years to rebuild the White House. Andrew Jackson, the "People's President," brought a new style of democracy to the White House. He opened it to more people than ever before. In 1829, 20,000 people celebrated Jackson's inauguration at a White House reception. Some in the crowd stood on satin chairs in muddy boots, trying to catch a glimpse Verb 1. catch a glimpse - see something for a brief time catch sight, get a look see - perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight; "You have to be a good observer to see all the details"; "Can you see the bird in that tree?"; "He is blind--he of Jackson. To lure the mob outside, aides filled washtubs with orange juice and whiskey. Meanwhile, Jackson escaped through a window to a nearby hotel. A Unifying Symbol During the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, the country was tom apart by the worst crisis in its history--the Civil War (1861-1865). Lincoln kept the White House open to visitors during the war, despite worries about his safety. He believed that the White House would help unite the divided nation. To protect Lincoln, a military guard called the Bucktail buck·tail n. 1. Hair from the tail of a deer, often dyed and used especially in artificial fishing flies. 2. An artificial fly made with bucktail. Brigade was stationed on the grounds. Soldiers even slept in the East Room and in the hallways! Despite the war, Lincoln's two young sons, Tad and Willie, found ways to have fun. Tad once harnessed his pet goats to a chair and drove them through a party in the East Room! Sadly, on February 20, 1862, Willie died of typhoid fever typhoid fever acute, generalized infection caused by Salmonella typhi. The main sources of infection are contaminated water or milk and, especially in urban communities, food handlers who are carriers. . Lincoln and his wife, Mary, were devastated dev·as·tate tr.v. dev·as·tat·ed, dev·as·tat·ing, dev·as·tates 1. To lay waste; destroy. 2. To overwhelm; confound; stun: was devastated by the rude remark. . Mary would never again enter the Green Room, where Willie's coffin had been placed. On April 14, 1865, just after the Civil War ended, tragedy struck again. Lincoln was assassinated as·sas·si·nate tr.v. as·sas·si·nat·ed, as·sas·si·nat·ing, as·sas·si·nates 1. To murder (a prominent person) by surprise attack, as for political reasons. 2. while watching a play at Ford's Theatre
Ford's Theatre at 511 10th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. is an active theatre in Washington DC, United States, used for various performances. . His body lay in state in the East Room. Happier years soon followed. Rutherford B. Hayes had five children when he came to the White House. His wife, Lucy, hosted the first White House Easter egg roll, which is an annual tradition. Grover Cleveland was the only President to be married in the White House. He was also the first to have a child born in the White House. A World Symbol During the 20th century, the White House expanded, along with the power and prestige of our nation. Theodore Roosevelt ordered the construction of the West Wing offices in 1902. The President's Oval Office was added in 1909. There simply wasn't enough room for Roosevelt's large family, which included six children, a macaw macaw: see parrot. macaw Any of about 18 species of large tropical New World parrots (subfamily Psittacinae) with very long tails and big sickle-shaped beaks. Macaws eat fruits and nuts. named Eli, a black bear, and a pony. The next President, William Taft, converted the stables into a garage for the first White House cars. But Taft wasn't a completely modern man. He also kept a pet cow on the White House lawn to provide milk. During World War I (1914-1918), Woodrow Wilson made another addition to the White House lawn--sheep. Their wool was auctioned off to help the Red Gross. Franklin D. Roosevelt added the East Wing offices during World War II (1941-1945), to make room for his growing presidential staff and for reporters. A permanent press corps has been stationed there ever since. Major Renovation By 1948, years of wear and tear had taken their toll on the White House. During Harry Truman's presidency, a piano leg fell through the floor. When architects examined the White House, they were amazed it was still standing. The Trumans moved across Pennsylvania Avenue to Blair House, a presidential guesthouse guest·house n. 1. A small house or cottage adjacent to a main house, used for lodging guests. 2. A bed-and-breakfast. , while the White House was gutted and rebuilt. Not since the fire of 1814 had a President been forced to live in a different house. When the work was finished in 1952, Truman gave the country a televised tour. John F. Kennedy's wife, Jacqueline, brought style and sophistication so·phis·ti·cate v. so·phis·ti·cat·ed, so·phis·ti·cat·ing, so·phis·ti·cates v.tr. 1. To cause to become less natural, especially to make less naive and more worldly. 2. to the White House. Believing that the White House should be a museum of American history, she redecorated many rooms with fine art and antiques. In 1963, when the work was finished, she too conducted a televised tour. Recent Changes For most of its history, people enjoyed easy access to the White House. People could even picnic in the White House backyard. Today, access to the White House is strictly limited. In 1995, a crazed gunman fired at the White House. The part of Pennsylvania Avenue which passes in front of the White House has been closed ever since. Of its 132 rooms, only 7 rooms and 3 halls are still open to the public. Despite these changes, the White House is still America's favorite house. Not long ago, President Bill Clinton spoke for all Americans when he said, "I love this place." |
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