White House Easter Egg Roll – April 1, 2024

History of White House Easter Egg Roll

The White House Easter Egg Roll is a tradition that had its origins in 1878, through former President Rutherford B. Hayes. Some even state that events like this one began a few years earlier, under President Abraham Lincoln. Children from across the country travel to Washington, D.C. every Easter Monday to compete in a decorated egg rolling race, and throughout the years, the event has grown to have more activities and welcome an increasing number of people.

President Benjamin Harrison, in 1889, asked the U.S. Marine Band to play music during the Easter Egg Roll, and, since then, their participation has been an official part of the event’s schedule. In 1969, the First Lady asked a staff member to put on an Easter Bunny costume to greet the children on the driveway of the White House, which originated the custom of having Easter Bunnies hopping around the gardens. In 1981, a big hunt for wooden eggs signed by famous figures was proposed by President Ronald Reagan and now, every year, wooden eggs are considered the main souvenir of the White House Easter Egg Roll.

There were a few times when the White House Easter Egg Roll didn’t happen. During World Wars I and II, the White House abstained from celebrating the event, in respect of the tragedies brought upon the American people. From 1946 to 1952, the event couldn’t take place because of conservation and renovation efforts in the White House. Later on, in 1959, 1964, 1978, 1984, and 2001, the event was canceled due to bad weather conditions. And, finally, in 2020 and 2021, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the event had to be given up as well.