Halloween at the White House
Happy Halloween everyone. President Obama, like some of his predecessors, gets into the spirit of the day. Last Halloween, First Lady Michelle Obama got into costume as a leopard, with furry ears, cat like eyes, and a spotted orange-and-black animal print top. For his part, her husband's costume was, in the words of one reporter “a middle-aged dad, with a black cardigan, checkered shirt and sensible brown slacks.” About 2,600 trick-or-treaters stopped at the front drive of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, to get their treat: a plastic baggy containing White House M&Ms, an orange sugar cookie in the shape of the residence, and clumps of dried fruit. Meanwhile, wandering around in front of the orange-lit White House were hundreds of costumed characters, including musicians dressed as skeletons, walking trees, Star Wars characters, and dancers dressed as red and gold butterflies inside giant bubbles.
In 2009 the Obamas also hosted a Halloween reception for military families in the East Room of the White House. In his welcoming remarks, the president expressed his gratitude for the sacrifices made by military families. He said, “'We are so grateful to you. Especially now, a lot of the times, you guys are separated. It's tough. The spouses who are at home are serving just as much as folks who are deployed. So we are just so thrilled that you guys could be here.”
Previous presidents got into the spirit of the day as well. Mamie Eisenhower hosted a Halloween party for the wives of White House staff members which included skeletons hanging from the State Dining Room chandeliers and witches on broomsticks riding over the white tablecloth.
Richard Nixon’s daughter Tricia hosted a Halloween party for underprivileged children. The Fords and Carters welcomed trick-or-treaters from charitable organizations like UNICEF. In 1989, President George Bush and his wife Barbara treated 500 local school children to a Halloween party, complete with a lecture about the dangers of drugs.
Behind the cut are some pictures I've snagged off the web about Halloween at the White House.
1. President John F. Kennedy is amused by the costumes donned by his children Caroline and John Jr.
2. The Clinton's White House featured the Great Pumpkin.
3. President George W. Bush greets young trick-or-treaters.
4. The Bushes' dog Barney poses beside a pumkin.
5. The Obamas on Halloween of 2009: Michelle as a leopard and Barack as Ward Cleaver.
6-9. Some of the interesting decorations and entertainment around the White House at Halloween of 2009.
10-13. Some very creatively carved pumpkins (Fillmore, Buchanan, Benjamin Harrison and Obama.)
14. President George Bush hoists a mighty pumpkin that would make many pies, a veritable weapon of mass consumption. (Forgive me.)
15. Finally what I consider to be one of the best Halloween costumes ever: Teddy Roosevelt!
Have a happy and safe Halloween everyone!