Story Highlights
- Historical event:
- 13 October 1792
- Interestingly, the White House was mostly built by black slaves, and partly by European immigrants, most of whom didn't have U.S. citizenship. George Washington, the first president, did not wait for the White House to be completed. Namely, he resigned from the position of president before then.
The foundation stone of the White House, the residence of the U.S. president in Washington D.C., was laid down on this day in 1792.
There was no opening ceremony; the construction was started without fanfare. Interestingly, the White House was mostly built by black slaves, and partly by European immigrants, most of whom didn’t have U.S. citizenship.
The White House was designed by James Hoban, a man of Irish nationality. The construction lasted for around 8 years and cost 232,371 dollars and 83 cents (the U.S. dollar had a much higher value than it has today).
President George Washington personally selected Hoban’s project, but the house was somewhat broadened according to Washington’s wishes, so as to be more becoming of a head of state. Thus, the number of bay windows was increased from 9 to 11.
However, George Washington did not wait for the White House to be completed. Namely, he resigned from the position of president before then. Washington’s successor, John Adams, was the first president to reside in the White House.
It is important to note that the White House came into use only some 10 or so years after it was completed. At first, it was called the “Presidential Palace” or simply the “President’s House”.
