Fourth of July

Gallery

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Three thousand people attended patriotic speeches held under the shade of trees on the South Lawn of the White House on July 4, 1903. Theodore Roosevelt and his family did not attend this ceremony.
Library of Congress
2 of 11

President Harry S. Truman receives the gift of a firecracker from a young constituent to promote the celebration of July 4th in 1947.
National Archives and Records Administration
3 of 11

Fireworks above the North Portico, July 4, 1966. The Johnsons did not spend their Independence Day holidays in Washington, D.C.
White House Historical Association
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President Gerald Ford attended celebrations on July 4, 1976, the bicentennial of the United States, at Valley Forge, Philadelphia, and New York Harbor. He was home that evening and joined Mrs. Ford to watch the national fireworks over the National Mall.
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library/NARA
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Guests on the South Lawn of the White House on July 4, 1980.
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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The Reagans enjoyed a picnic on the South Lawn for the Fourth of July in 1981.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
7 of 11

The fireworks display over the National Mall, near the Washington Monument on July 4, 2000.
William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush look over the crowd assembled for a fireworks display from the Truman Balcony, July 4, 2001.
George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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White House staff and guests enjoy the Fourth of July celebrations on the South Lawn, 2002.
George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama watch the fireworks over the National Mall from the White House on July 4, 2009.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
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President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump watch Fourth of July fireworks at the White House on July, 4, 2018.
Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead

About this Gallery

For most of the nineteenth century, the annual Fourth of July reception was a great day for public celebration at the White House. Although a reception is no longer held, presidents and their families continued to host garden events, picnics, and parties on and around the American holiday.