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  • 3
    Mar
    2013
    7:40pm, EST

    National Archives

    The inside of the White House, after being gutted in 1950.

    Gutted: White House stripped to bare bones in late 1940s

    The National Journal's Brian Resnick put together a fascinating look at the White House of the late 1940s with images from the National Archives that emphasize the cavernous quality of the structure while standing in stark contrast to the elegant, stately events that have played out over the years at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

    Resnick writes:

    The social events of the 1948 holiday season had to be canceled. And with good reason: Experts called the third floor of the White House “an outstanding example of a firetrap.” The result of a federally commissioned report found the mansion’s plumbing “makeshift and unsanitary,” while “the structural deterioration [was] in ‘appalling degree,’ and threatening complete collapse.” The congressional commission on the matter was considering the option of abandoning the structure altogether in favor of a built-from-scratch mansion, but President Truman lobbied for the restoration.

    See 12 more images on the National Journal's site.

    53 comments

    Of the 5 comments, 4 of them turned a historical moment into a political rant. (Well, maybe not Leroy) How pathetic.

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    Explore related topics: white-house, national-archives, harry-truman
  • 11
    Feb
    2013
    3:46pm, EST

    A pint-sized stand-in for the president

    Win McNamee / Getty Images

    Colin Romesha, the son of Medal of Honor recipient Clinton Romesha, peeks around the corner of President Barack Obama's lectern before a presentation ceremony at the White House Feb. 11, in Washington, D.C. Romesha received the Medal of Honor for actions during combat operations against an armed enemy at Combat Outpost Keating, Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan on October 3, 2009.

    Published at 3:46 p.m. ET:

    Before the Medal of Honor ceremony for Clinton Romesha began, his son Colin Romesha got to see the audience from President Obama's viewpoint -- just a few feet lower. After charming the crowd and the cameras in the East Room, he was handed back to his mother.

    Slideshow: Medal of Honor recipients

    Mandel Ngan / AFP - Getty Images

    A look at heroes from a post-9/11 era of war

    Launch slideshow

    Colin Romesha, the young son of Medal of Honor recipient Clinton Romesha, finds time to explore the White house while attending a ceremony for his father on Monday.

    Former Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha is presented with the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama at the White House on Monday.

    Comment

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    Explore related topics: white-house, politics, military, barack-obama, us-news, medal-of-honor, clinton-romesha
  • 24
    Jan
    2013
    7:41pm, EST

    House fly has an encounter with President Obama

    Larry Downing / Reuters

    A fly lands between the eyes of U.S. President Barack Obama while he speaks in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Jan. 24, 2013.

    By Mark Felsenthal, Reuters

    WASHINGTON -- There was a buzz at the White House on Thursday when President Barack Obama announced the nomination of two top financial regulatory officials.

    A large fly interrupted the president as he presented his picks to head the Securities and Exchange Commission and a watchdog for financial consumer products.

    Under bright television lights, the fly darted around the president's head as he spoke in the White House's ornate State Dining Room, alighting briefly on the middle of his forehead.

    A giant black fly joined in on the festivities as President Obama announced his nominations for head the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. NBC's Brian Williams reports.

    "We need cops on the beat to enforce the law," the president said, speaking about SEC nominee Mary Jo White and Richard Cordray, who he renominated to continue as head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

    Obama broke off to swat at the intruder, which flew away.

    "This guy is bothering me here," Obama said, glaring at his staff.

    The insect was luckier than a fly that harassed Obama in 2009 while taping a television interview.

    "Get out of here," he said, before smacking and killing the fly. "I got the sucker," he said at the time. An animal rights group protested.

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    Copyright 2013 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.

    97 comments

    You haters can go straight to the hell you have created for your pathetic selves. You just cannot stand the fact that Obama will go down as one of the greatest American presidents. Insult, call him a POS, insinuate he is dung, because that is all you have left. Insults. Your party is the party of ha …

    Show more
    Explore related topics: white-house, fly, obama, barack-obama, us-news
  • 20
    Jan
    2013
    7:35pm, EST

    Obama's daughter OK's president's oath

    Larry Downing / Pool via Getty Images

    President Barack Obama, left, takes the oath of office from U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, right, as first lady Michelle Obama holds the bible and daughters Malia and Sasha look on in the Blue Room of the White House, Jan. 20, in Washington, D.C. Obama and Vice President Joe Biden were officially sworn in a day before the ceremonial inaugural swearing-in.

    Embracing his children after the oath, his younger daughter Sasha was heard to whisper “good job, Daddy!” 

    "I did it!" he responded, before she observed "You didn't mess up." 

    -- Reported by Carrie Dann, Political Reporter, NBC News

    Read the full story.

    Larry Downing / Pool via Reuters

    President Barack Obama gets a hug from his daughter Malia as wife Michelle, left, and daughter Sasha look on in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20.

    This time, President Obama and Justice Roberts got the words right. The oath took 32 seconds inside the White House. NBC's Peter Alexander reports.

    Slideshow:

    Jewel Samad / AFP - Getty Images

    Festivities for President Barack Obama's second inauguration.

    Launch slideshow

     Related story: From drunken speeches to dead canaries, a guide to our quirky inaugural history

    2 comments

    Best wishes in your second term,be brave!

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    Explore related topics: white-house, barack-obama, us-news, oath, inauguration
  • 14
    Dec
    2012
    5:14pm, EST

    President Obama orders flags be flown at half-staff in honor of Conn. school shooting victims

    Yuri Gripas / Reuters

    A U.S. flag flies at half-staff at the White House in Washington D.C., Dec. 14, 2012. A tearful President Barack Obama expressed "overwhelming grief" on Friday for the victims of a shooting rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary School and called on Americans to set aside politics and take "meaningful action" to prevent further tragedies of this kind.

    Yuri Gripas / Reuters

    U.S. President Barack Obama wipes a tear as he speaks about the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., during a press briefing in Washington D.C., Dec. 14.

    U.S President Barack Obama ordered that flags be flown at half-staff through sunset on Dec. 18. Full story…

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    Related Articles:

    • Elementary school massacre: 27 killed, including 20 kids, at Connecticut school
    • Connecticut school shooting: ‘Screams were coming over the intercom’

    Mark Wilson / Getty Images

    A flag at the U.S. Capitol flies at half-staff in honor of the Connecticut school shooting victims in Washington D.C., Dec. 14.

    A National Park Service employee lowers flags at the base of the Washington Monument to half-staff after President Barack Obama ordered the action while speaking on the shootings at the Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, in Washington, D.C.

    John Makely / NBC News

    An American flag at the center of Newtown, Conn. stands at half-staff on Dec. 14.

    Slideshow: Connecticut school massacre

    Michelle Mcloughlin / Reuters

    The second deadliest school shooting in U.S. history sent crying children spilling into the school parking lot as frightened parents waited for word on their loved ones.

    Launch slideshow

    1 comment

    Rest in peace

    Show more
    Explore related topics: white-house, schools, crime, obama, connecticut-school-shooting
  • 28
    Nov
    2012
    6:08pm, EST

    First glimpse of White House holiday decorations

    Jim Watson / AFP - Getty Images

    Lauren Rae, left, and Olivia Marlow look at the ornaments on a Christmas tree in the Grand Foyer during the first viewing of the White House 2012 holiday decorations. The first lady welcomed military families to the White House for a viewing of the decorations.

    Jim Watson / AFP - Getty Images

    Christmas decorations in the China room during the first viewing of the White House 2012 holiday decorations.

    Alex Wong / Getty Images

    A nearly 300-pound gingerbread White House on display at the State Dining Room on Nov. 28. A stuffed replica of Bo, the presidential dog, is at lower left.

    Jim Watson / AFP - Getty Images

    Christmas trees in the State Dining Room.

    Alex Wong / Getty Images

    First lady Michelle Obama reacts as she participates in craft activities with children of military families at the State Dining Room after a preview of the 2012 White House holiday decorations.

    Alex Wong / Getty Images

    First lady Michelle Obama speaks in the East Room during a preview of the 2012 White House holiday decorations on Nov. 28. The first lady welcomed military families for the first viewing.

    Jim Watson / AFP - Getty Images

    A stuffed replica of Bo, the presidential dog, wearing a Santa Claus hat at the White House.

    Also on PhotoBlog:

    • From backyard to center stage: Rockefeller Center Christmas tree stands tall in spotlight
    • Cobbler lives! Obama gives a turkey something to be thankful for

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    3 comments

    Oh--but Bo is way too large for the Gingerbread White House!--totally out of proportion, if you look at the front door, for example.

    Show more
    Explore related topics: washington, white-house, holiday, christmas, michelle-obama
  • 21
    Nov
    2012
    4:15pm, EST

    Cobbler lives! Obama gives a turkey something to be thankful for

    Alex Wong / Getty Images

    President Barack Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia, right, with Cobbler the turkey at the White House on Wednesday.

    Mandel Ngan / AFP - Getty Images

    Cobbler is seen before being pardoned by President Obama at the White House.

    AP reports: President Barack Obama pardoned two turkeys in an annual Thanksgiving rite on Wednesday, saying he wanted to offer the birds a second chance.

    "They say life is full of second chances, and this November I couldn't agree more with that sentiment," a smiling Obama said in one of several lighthearted references to his re-election this month to a second term.

    Cobbler, the newly designated national turkey, and his alternate, Gobbler, received a reprieve. Full Story

    The tradition of pardoning a Thanksgiving turkey at the White House started with President John F. Kennedy in 1963.

     Follow @NBCNewsPictures

    Sign up for the NBCNews.com Photos Newsletter


    Mandel Ngan / AFP - Getty Images

    President Obama waves his hand as he pardons Cobbler. At left is National Turkey Federation Chairman Steve Willardsen.

     

    4 comments

    It's nice to see the president happily protecting the life of a turkey. If only he could have done the same with the Americans in Benghazi.

    Show more
    Explore related topics: turkey, white-house, barack-obama, us-news, pardon
  • 23
    Aug
    2012
    5:21pm, EDT

    White House sand sculpture built to pay tribute to upcoming Republican convention

    Joe Raedle / Getty Images

    Artist Meredith Corson puts the finishing touches on a sand sculpture of the White House behind the Bilmar Beach Resort in Treasure Island, Fla., Aug. 23. The resort is also constructing sand sculptures of Abraham Lincoln & the Lincoln Memorial to coincide with the Republican National Convention, which starts in Tampa, Fla., next week.

    Joe Raedle / Getty Images

    The front door of the White House sand sculpture

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    Comment

    Show more
    Explore related topics: white-house, beach, us-news, republican-convention, sand-castle
  • 20
    Aug
    2012
    3:25pm, EDT

    Michelle Obama hosts kids' lunchtime 'state dinner' at White House

    Larry Downing / Reuters

    First lady Michelle Obama hosts the first ever "Kids' State Dinner" in the East Room at the White House in Washington, on Aug. 20.

    Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP

    Party balloons sit on the floor of the Cross Hall of the White House in Washington, on Aug. 20, 2012, in preparations for the "Kids' State Dinner," hosted by first lady Michelle Obama.

    Jim Watson / AFP - Getty Images

    US President Barack Obama shakes hands with mothers and their children during first ever Kids' "State Dinner" at the White House in Washington, DC, on Aug. 20.

    AP reports -- At the first ever White House "kids state dinner," first lady Michelle Obama told America's top junior chefs Monday that the dishes they created are proving that fun eating can be "healthy and tasty at the same time."

    "Your recipes truly stood out," she said to an East Room filled with kids who won a nationwide recipe competition. "You came up with dishes that were packed with nutritious, delicious ingredients — dishes that are good for you but more importantly they taste good, too. See? It can happen."

    The event was the latest effort in Mrs. Obama's "Let's Move" campaign to combat childhood obesity with more exercise and a better diet.

    Continue reading.

    Saul Loeb / AFP - Getty Images

    US First Lady Michelle Obama hugs her introducer, 12-year-old Marshall Reid from North Carolina and author of "Portion Size Me: A Kid-Driven Plan to a Healthier Family," during a Kids' "State Dinner" in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on Aug. 20. This first time event includes 54 children, ages 8-12, from all US states, three territories and Washington, DC, to a luncheon in support of the Let's Move campaign, featuring healthy recipes and a performance by Nickelodeon's Big Time Rush.

    Kevin Lamarque / Reuters

    A place setting is seen on a table during the first ever "Kids' State Dinner" at the White House in Washington on Aug. 20. The Obama's hosted 54 kids whose recipes were selected for the "Healthy Lunchtime Challenge Cookbook".

    Saul Loeb / AFP - Getty Images

    Michael Lakind of Texas, speaks with the media as he arrives at the Bookseller's Area for a Kids' "State Dinner" hosted by US First Lady Michelle Obama in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on Aug. 20. This first time event includes 54 kids, ages 8-12, from all US states, three territories and Washington, DC, to a luncheon in support of the Let's Move campaign, featuring healthy recipes and a performance by Nickelodeon's Big Time Rush.

     

    1 comment

    I like those mason jar cups with the straws.

    Show more
    Explore related topics: white-house, health, us-news, michelle-obama, state-dinner, lets-move
  • 20
    Jul
    2012
    5:09pm, EDT

    Jason Reed / Reuters

    This combination photo shows a worker preparing to lower the U.S. flag to half-staff, left, after lowering the flag, center, and the flag at half-staff on top of the White House on July 20, 2012 after a masked gunman killed 12 people at a midnight showing of the new "Batman" movie in a suburb of Denver.

    White House remembers aurora shooting victims

    .

    1 comment

    So did he get it wrong the first time, or are you supposed to lower it all the way before going half-staff? If not, they should hire someone who doesn't think half-staff just means downsizing..

    Show more
    Explore related topics: white-house, colorado, denver, us-news, mass-shooting, aurora-shooting, batman-shooter
  • 14
    Jun
    2012
    7:50pm, EDT

    Barack Obama visits World Trade Center

    Kevin Lamarque / Reuters

    U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama look down at the 9/11 Memorial while touring the One World Trade Center building which is under construction in New York on June 14.

    Jewel Samad / AFP - Getty Images

    Barack Obama signs a steel beam as First Lady Michelle Obama, New York governor Andrew Cuomo, New Jersey governor Chris Christie and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg look on at the One World Trade Center site in New York on June 14.

    Justin Lane / EPA

    Iron workers take pictures of the signatures of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michele Obama after a ceremony where they signed a steel beam that will be used to top off the One World Trade Center in New York.

    Justin Lane / EPA

    A view of President Barack Obama's signature on a steel beam that will be used to top of One World Trade Center.

    President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama visited Ground Zero in New York City to review the construction of the iconic 104-story skyscraper that replaces the World Trade center towers destroyed on Sept. 11, 2001.

    The Obamas toured the 22nd floor of One World Trade Center and also signed their names on a steel beam that will be added to the tower's construction with the message, "We remember, we rebuild, we come back stronger!"

    During his trip to New York, the president will also be attending campaign fundraisers at the home of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, and at the Plaza Hotel.

    Spencer Platt / Getty Images

    People stand on posts while waiting for the Presidential motorcade to pass on June 14 in New York City. President Obama came to New York Thursday for a briefing on the progress of the iconic 104-story tower that replaces the World Trade center towers destroyed on 9/11.

    Follow @msnbc_pictures

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    5 comments

    That was a sad day in American history ..... We are resilient ....

    Show more
    Explore related topics: new-york, white-house, politics, world-trade-center, new-york-city, barack-obama, us-news
  • 31
    May
    2012
    2:34pm, EDT

    Former President George W. Bush and family join President Obama for portrait unveiling at White House

    Mandel Ngan / AFP - Getty Images

    US President Barack Obama, former US president George W. Bush with First Lady Michelle Obama and former First Lady Laura Bush arrive for the unveiling of the Bush's portraits on Thursday in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC.

    Carolyn Kaster / AP

    Former President George W. Bush unveils his portrait in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Thursday.

    Mandel Ngan / AFP - Getty Images

    Former US president George W. Bush and his wife Laura Bush speak during the unveiling of their portraits on Thursday in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC.

    Mandel Ngan / AFP - Getty Images

    Former US President George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara arrive for the portrait unveiling of former US president George W. Bush and his wife Laura Bush in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC.

    Charles Dharapak / AP

    President George W. Bush's daughters Jenna and Barbara have their photo taken in the East Room at the White House in Washington on Thursday prior to the unveiling of President Bush's official portrait.

    President and Mrs. Obama host former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush for the official unveiling of their portraits, which will will hang in the White House.

    This report from NBC's Shawna Thomas includes some of the humor the two presidents shared at the event:

    “When the British burned the White House ... in 1814, Dolly Madison famously saved this portrait of the first George W. Now Michelle, if anything happens, there's your man,” Bush joked. (During her speech, First Lady Michelle Obama promised she’d go straight for his portrait.)

    And former President Bush didn’t spare the current president: “I am also pleased, Mr. President, that when you are wandering these halls as you wrestle with tough decisions, you will now be able to gaze at this portrait and ask: What would George do?

    •Sign up for the msnbc.com Photos Newsletter

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    627 comments

    I miss his from the heart sense of humor.....he had class!

    Show more
    Explore related topics: bush, white-house, president, government, barack-obama, george-bush, us-news, presidency
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