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The White House Easter Egg Roll
Text by C.L. Arbelide
Courtesy of the White House Historical Association

It’s Monday after Easter; it’s egg-rolling day,
And the White House invites you to join in the play.

No matter who is President, each and every year,
Egg-rolling day is full of fun and good cheer.

Here is the story of how if all came to be,
A very special day in White House history.

A long time ago, on a school holiday,
Capitol Hill was a great place to play.

Rolling colorful eggs down the grassy hill,
Tumbling close behind just like Jack and Jill!

Inside the Capitol, beneath the big dome,
Children ate lunch, feeling right at home.

Many of the Congressmen didn’t like this at all.
Picnic mess and eggshells cluttered their great hall!

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Art Illustration by Eric Carle
Illustration by Eric Carle
History
History of the White House Easter Egg Roll

Informal egg-rolling parties were hosted at the White House by President Andrew Johnson and, in 1873 by President Grant. But, the liveliest of these events in the 1870’s took place at the U.S. Capitol.

1991: Barbara Bush provides special Easter cards to be mailed to the troops in the Persian Gulf in Operation Desert Storm.

Read More History »

Decorated Eggs

2003 Decorated State Eggs

Local artists created the decorated eggs, which represent each state and the District of Columbia.

View the Decorated Eggs »
Photos

Youngsters at the 2002 White House Easter Egg Roll inch their eggs down the south lawn course toward the finish line under the watchful eyes of volunteers.

Photographs and Essays

(1929 - 1969)

Hoover
Eisenhower
Kennedy
Johnson

Flash Gallery (1929 - 1969)

(1969 - 1981)

Nixon
Ford
Carter

Flash Gallery (1969 - 1981)

(1981 - 2001)

Reagan
Bush
Clinton

Flash Gallery (1981 - 2001)

(2001 - 2003)

G. W. Bush

Flash Gallery (2001 - 2003)

Multimedia

Children dressed in bunny ears pose at the 1958 Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn.

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Title of Multimedia

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