NEWSThe White House Easter Egg Roll through the yearsUSA TODAYFirst lady Jill Biden hosts the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House on Monday, April 10, 2023. In addition to the traditional egg roll and egg hunt, the event features educational activities and special performances.Jack Gruber, USA TODAYPresident Joe Biden and First lady Jill Biden welcome people to the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House on Monday, April 10, 2023.Jack Gruber, USA TODAYFirst lady Melania Trump reads a book during the 139th White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House.Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty ImagesColored Easter eggs are ready to be used during the White House Easter Egg Roll.Carolyn Kaster, APEleven-month-old Victoria Cheng and her mother Guliana Cheng, both from San Francisco, prepare to participate in the White House Easter Egg Roll.Carolyn Kaster, APPresident Donald Trump, joined by the Easter Bunny, speaks from the Truman Balcony during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House.Carolyn Kaster, APChildren participate in the egg roll during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on April 17, 2017.Shawn Thew, European Pressphoto AgencyPresident Donald J. Trump makes cards for members of the military at the annual Easter Egg roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington.Pool Photo By Olivier DoulieryFirst Lady Melania Trump hugs a girl as they make cards for members of the military.Pool Photo By Olivier DoulieryA youngster wears a 'Make America Great Again' hat with bunny ears during the 139th Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House.Chip Somodevilla, Getty ImagesYoung guests in Easter bonnets prepare to roll their Easter eggs during the 139th Easter Egg Roll.Win McNamee, Getty ImagesWhite House press secretary Sean Spicer reads to a group of children with the help of Joshua at the 139th White House Easter Egg Roll.Jasper Colt, USA TODAY NETWORKZane Taylor poses for a photo at a miniature replica of the White House lectern at the 139th White House Easter Egg Roll.Jasper Colt, USA TODAY NETWORKKids take part in the White House Easter Egg Roll festivities on the White House South Lawn in Washington on March 28, 2016.Kevin Wolf, AP Images For American Egg BoardPresident Barack Obama greets guests on the South Lawn of the White House during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll March 28, 2016 in Washington, DC.Win McNamee, Getty ImagesFirst Lady Michelle Obama, center, dances with members of the All Stars from from the television show 'So You Can Dance' during the 137th annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington DC, USA on April 6, 2015. The Easter egg roll falls on the fifth anniversary of Michelle Obama's Let's Move initiative to combat childhood obesity. The first lady asked Americans of all ages to "give me five ways they are leading a healthier life," and to participate on Twitter and other social media websites by using #gimmefive.Pool Photo By Olivier Douliery-PoolPresident Barack Obama lifts Stella Munoz into the air while greeting guests on the South Lawn of the White House during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll March 28, 2016 in Washington, DC.Win McNamee, Getty ImagesFifth Harmony performs the 'Happy Birthday' song from the Truman Balcony to mark the fifth anniversary of first lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move program during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House April 6, 2015 in Washington, DC.Chip Somodevilla, Getty ImagesPresident Barack Obama reads the book, "Where the Wild Things Are," to children attending the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC on April 21, 2014. The 126th annual White House Easter Egg Roll, the largest annual public event at the White House with more than 30,000 attendees expected, features live music, sports courts, cooking stations, storytelling and Easter egg rolling, with the theme, "Hop into Healthy, Swing into Shape."Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty ImagesColorful eggs await the throngs of children attending the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on April 21, 2014, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. Thousands of children are gathering at the White House for the annual Easter Egg Roll. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will kick off the festivities on the White House South Lawn. This year's event features live music, cooking stations, storytelling, and of course, some Easter egg rolling.J. Scott Applewhite, APA person dressed as a Easter bunny watches children participate in the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn April 21, 2014 in Washington, DC.Pool Photo By Olivier Douliery-PoolA young girl takes part in the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House April 9, 2012 in Washington, DC.Win McNamee, Getty ImagesChildren roll eggs on the lawn as President Barack Obama and the first family hosted the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn on April 25, 2011.Jack Gruber, USA TODAYChildren roll eggs on the lawn as President Barack Obama and the first family hosted the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn on April 25, 2011.Jack Gruber, USA TODAYChildren roll eggs on the lawn as President Barack Obama and the first family hosted the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn April 25, 2011.Jack Gruber, USA TODAYThe President, First Lady and his daughters host the White House Easter Egg Roll Monday, April 5, 2010 with the theme of "Ready, Set, Go!" promoting health and wellness. The event will feature live music, sports courts, cooking stations, storytelling and, of course, Easter egg rolling. All of the activities will encourage children to lead healthy and active lives and follow the First Lady's "Let's Move!" initiative, a national campaign to combat childhood obesity.Garrett Hubbard, USA TODAYSchool teacher and daughter of President George W. Bush, Jenna Bush reads from "Where the Wild Things Are" during the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House March 24, 2008 in Washington, DC.Chip Somodevilla, Getty ImagesFirst lady Laura Bush delivers opening remarks from a balcony at the start of the Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House April 9, 2007 in Washington, DC. The annual event was started by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1878.Chip Somodevilla, Getty ImagesIn this March 24, 2008 file photo, President Bush hugs a person dressed as the Easter bunny at the start of the annual Easter Egg Roll, overlooking the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. If it's Easter Monday in Washington, it's time for the White House Easter Egg Roll. The White House is getting ready, putting on the finishing touches before the gates open and 30,000 men, women and children scramble to take part in the annual tradition. The Easter Bunny and more than 14,500 hard-boiled eggs are dyed and waiting.Gerald Herbert, APIn this April 21, 2003 file photo, wooden Easter eggs with President Bush and Laura Bush's signatures, are displayed at the annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House in Washington. it's time for the White House Easter Egg Roll. The White House is getting ready, putting on the finishing touches before the gates open and 30,000 men, women and children scramble to take part in the annual tradition. The Easter Bunny and more than 14,500 hard-boiled eggs are dyed and waiting.Ron Edmonds, Associated PressPresident Bush blows the whistle to start the annual White House Easter Egg Roll as a young girl throws her egg Monday, April 1, 2002. Bush blew the whistle at the start of the race. This year's egg roll, in which young children race to the finish line while pushing their eggs with a spoon, enjoyed sunny skies and cool breezes. There were 10,800 eggs to decorate or roll, and children were greeted by celebrities including Stuart Little and the Easter Bunny.Doug Mills, Associated PressWhite House Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, left, and chef Susie Morrison put the finishing touches on March 29, 2002, on the 45 pound Easter egg and replica of Barney, the president's dog, as they prepare for Monday's annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House .Ron Edmonds, Associated PressPresident Clinton poses with the Easter Bunny at the start of the annual Easter Egg Roll on April 13, 1998, at the White House. The White House chef has dyed 7,200 hard-boiled eggs for the annual traditional event that dates back to 1878.Greg Gibson, Associated PressWith the Washington Monument in the background, White House visitors walk on the the South Lawn during the White House Easter Egg Roll on March 31, 1997. The annual event was officially opened by President and Mrs. Clinton.Ron Edmonds, Associated PressPresident Bill Clinton handles the starting whistling and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton handles cheer leading chores during the annual Easter egg roll on the White House lawn in Washington, April 12, 1993.Ron Edmonds, Associated PressVice President George H. Bush greeted by cartoon characters at the start of the annual Easter egg roll on the White House, April 8, 1985 in Washington.Associated PressIn this April 20, 1981, file photo first lady Nancy Reagan leads a group of cartoon characters to the South Lawn of the White House Monday for the annual Easter Egg Roll.Barry Thumma, APPresident Jimmy Carter holds his grandson, Jason Carter, 2, on his shoulders while visiting the South Lawn on April 11, 1977, site of the Easter Egg Roll at the White House in Washington.APTricia Nixon walks the White House grounds March 27, 1970 with a couple of Springtime friends - circus clown Bobby Kay and the Easter Bunny, a White House staffer who prefers to remain anonymous.Henry Burroughs, APBefore going to the opening ball game, President Franklin Roosevelt appeared on the portico of the White House, Washington on April 14, 1941 to wave to the thousands of children participating in the annual Easter egg roll. The President spoke briefly.Associated PressFirst Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, center, pauses to greet 3-year-old Jean Doering of Washington at the start of the annual Easter Egg Rolling at the White House, April 13, 1936. Thousands of children attended.APFirst lady Grace Coolidge displays her pet raccoon Rebecca to children gathered on the White House grounds for Easter egg rolling on April 18, 1927.National ArchivesChildren dancing round the maypole at The White House Easter Egg Rolling in Washington in the 1920s. World War I and food rationing put the White House egg roll on hold, scrambling it from 1917-1920. World War II stopped the festivities again from 1943-1945.National ArchivesIn the absence of President and Mrs. Harding April 2, 1923, for the annual White House Easter egg roll, the first family's pet airedale Laddie Boy acted as host for the many children who rolled eggs on the White House lawn.National ArchivesChildren Easter egg rolling on the South Lawn of The White House in Washington in 1921.National ArchivesIn 1889, eleven years after the Easter Egg Roll became a White House tradition, President Benjamin Harrison added music: The United States Marine Band, also known as "The President's Own," played as children romped on the South Lawn.National Archives