134 Years and Still Rolling

President Rutherford Hayes hosted the first White House Easter Egg roll in 1878.  Since then, it has become an annual tradition hosted by the First Family.  The Egg Rolls were cancelled from 1917-1920 during World War I, and again from 1943-1945 during WWII.  In recent years, family participants are drawn from a random lottery.  The festivities begin when the President blows a whistle and the children roll eggs across the South Lawn. 

Easter celebration at the Hoover White House in 1931. The handwritten caption from the photo album reads: Dainty Folk Dances Charm Children at the White House Egg Rolling.

Eleanor Roosevelt at Easter on south steps of White House. April 11, 1939.

Children on the south lawn of the White House after an Easter Egg Roll hosted by the Eisenhower family. April 6, 1953.

Easter Egg Roll history at whitehouse.gov


532 Notes/ Hide

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    About Atlantic Magazine:
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    Did this when I was little.
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    awh!
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    I’m very surprised at the participation of black children during President Hayes’ time!
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