The History in Making!...The White House has a unique and fascinating history... I am sure, I am not wrong by saying that America did not feel the excitement, hopes for changes and enthusiasm for their new elected President since John F. Kennedy... and this time they're determined to make sure that he gets all the support he needs to make this presidency a success.
White House is the symbol of the Presidency of United States for more than 200 years. The history of the White House takes us back on December of 1790, when President George Washington signed an Act of Congress declaring that the federal government building should be in a district "not exceeding ten miles square...on the river Potomac."
The city planner Pierre L'Enfant, chose the site for the new residence which, since that time, has been the permanent residence of all elected presidents of United States - 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. WA - the pride and symbol of American democracy. A competition was held and the Irish-born architect James Hoban won the gold medal for his handsome design. Out of nine design proposals his project stood out through it's i
impeccable architectural style.
Construction began in October 1792 and President Washington oversaw the construction of the house but never lived in it... never the less he dedicated a great amount of energy and enthusiasm to see that building coming to light. It was not until 1800 when the White House, became the permanent residence of President John Adams and his wife Abigail. Since that time, every other President contributes with their own additions and changes to the splendor, style and historical value of the house. The White House is, after all, the President's private home and captured their personality.
President Theodore Roosevelt officially gave the "White House" its current name in 1901.
Undoubtedly the White House's walls have many story to tell, from fires (one at the hands of the British in 1814 -during the war of 1812-, another one in the West Wing in 1929, while Herbert Hoover was President) to many transformations, renovations and new additions... But nothing was expected to re-write the history of the White House as the recent election... when the American people decided to elect the first African American President...
What a moment! It was a long, long road from the 1790 -dark years of slavery- to today's progressive society. What slaves build, 200 years ago, with their own hands, was destined to sustain the history to the day when one of their own would become the 44 President of United States.
America fall in love with Obama a young, bright, charismatic all around good man that seems to be at the right time, at the right place for the right reason... it was the destiny! The history in making...
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I found a great website that offers a spoof on White House floor plans. For a good laugh got to: www.whitehouse.org.
Arina, of all the houses in the US. it certainly has its share of history. Funny link. Clinton was busy! lol.
How would you like to add that to your listings?
Bo
Ups... Bo, the post snapped out of my hand and came out before it was finished. But thank you for the comment... You've got it.
Arina, what a great informative post. We're planning a visit to the White House over the holidays (as long as my congressman gets us tickets!!) I've printed your post to take along and read to everyone in the car on the drive....
Arina- We have reached an impressive point in our history. I lived in Memphis during the time period when Martin Luther King was shot. Race relations were abysmal. To think that, just four decades later, Americans have chosen a man for president who happens to not be white is a truly great thing. I'm hoping we're that much closer to not making a huge issue about divisive prejudices that people. This was the election where we seemed to have decided that those who seek the highest position in the land can not be immediately disqualified on the basis of race, gender, age or religion.
Arina, there was even a small plane crash into the White House once that damaged a tree out front. Much history in that building and I used to like it when you could drive by out front, now the street is closed.