It has become a tradition for the incoming and outgoing first ladies to sit down and meet after election. Usually, this happens over a cup of tea at the White House. Most recently, outgoing first lady Michelle Obama met with Melania Trump to discuss what life is like in the White House.
The two reportedly talked about raising children in the White House. We are sure that it is no easy task raising children there. Michelle Obama also gave Melania Trump a private tour of the White House before they went to the Oval Office to meet their respective husbands.
Every Christmas Tree Has a Theme
The tradition of Christmas tree themes started back in 1961 with First Lady Jackie Kennedy. It continues through to today. Jackie based the first Christmas tree theme on Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker,” during her husband’s first year in office.
The tradition has continued every year and each year, the First Lady chooses how it will be decorated. Past themes have included “American Flower Tree,” “Antique Toy,” and “Mother Goose." In 2017, First Lady Melania Trump chose a theme called “Time-Honored Traditions.”
Car Windows Are Never Opened
Similar to the first family being prohibited from opening the windows of the White House, they are also forbidden from opening the windows of the car they are in.
On the rare instances that a car window is opened, it usually happens on private property and not in public.
Constant Surveillance
When you become a member of the First Family, you gain a lot of power. With that being said, you also lose certain liberties. A few of those we have already mentioned like driving a car and opening the windows. Another thing that becomes off limits is being able to go where you want when you want. Being part of the first family means being under constant surveillance by the secret service.
The secret service is responsible for protecting the president and their family under all costs. They also provide protection for the vice-president's family. When you are part of the first family, you are under constant observation, no matter what it is that you're doing and where you are doing it.
The Famous Correspondents’ Dinner
While the president is by not required to show up to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, it is a long-held tradition for them to show up for some fun humor in which they are the butt of many of the jokes. Usually, journalists, comedians, athletes, and pop culture icons attend the event. The tradition began in 1921. So far, fifteen presidents have attended at least one dinner beginning with Calvin Coolidge in 1924. The dinner is usually held on the last Saturday in April, at the Hilton Hotel, in Washington. Until 1962, the dinner could only be attended by men. At the request of Helen Thomas, President John F. Kennedy refused to attend the dinner unless women would also be allowed to attend.
The White House Correspondents' Dinner celebrates the First Amendment. You know, that amendment that talks about free speech. So, the president is usually the one to get roasted. There are often scholarships and various awards handed out at the event which are funded by the admission fees. Many annual dinners have been cancelled or reduced due to deaths or political crises. The dinners have drawn criticism over years for becoming "too Hollywood." There is a lot of attention given to the guest list and entertainers, often obscuring the initial purpose of the dinner which is to "acknowledge award-winners, present scholarships, and give the press and the president an evening of friendly appreciation." This has led to the event becoming one in which people come to "see and be seen."