The Fourth of July is a historic occasion that’s been commemorated by various presidents over the centuries with celebrations and speeches at the White House in Washington, D.C. The celebrations extend back more than 200 years. President Thomas Jefferson, who celebrated the Fourth of July in the early 1800s, invited dignitaries, civilians, military personnel, and others to the White House.
President Gerald Ford and first lady Betty Ford were known to enjoy fireworks shows to celebrate the Fourth of July. Several decades later, President Obama’s time in office was marked by his celebration of the Fourth of July, when he and former first lady Michelle Obama would host a barbecue on the South Lawn every year during Obama’s two terms in office.
The Obamas’ barbecue was followed by a picnic hosted by President Donald Trump. When he won the election in 2020, President Joe Biden revived the Obama tradition, hosting an official White House Fourth of July BBQ during his four years in office. The Fourth of July in 2026 will mark the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Ahead, see photos of the Fourth of July celebrations at the White House through the years.
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Harry Truman, 1947
Image Credit: Bettmann Archive With a jaunt wave of his cane, President Harry S. Truman leaves the White House ahead of the July 4 holiday.
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Betty and Gerald Ford, 1976
Image Credit: Getty Images Betty and Gerald Ford pose on a White House balcony as fireworks celebrating the US Bicentennial burst over the city skyline, Washington D.C., July 4, 1976.
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President George Bush, 2005
Image Credit: Getty Images George W. Bush greets supporters upon returning to the White House on July 4, 2005, in Washington, D.C.
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2006
Image Credit: Getty Images Fireworks explode behind the White House as the nation celebrates its 230th birthday on Independence Day July 4, 2006, in Washington, D.C.
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Obamas, 2009
Image Credit: Getty Images Barack Obama and Michelle Obama wave with their daughters Sasha (R) and Malia at a gathering of military families at the White House on July 4, 2009.
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Marine Corps, 2009
Image Credit: Getty Images The Marine Corps Marching Band makes its way into the White House after performing for President Barack Obama and a gathering of military families at the White House on July 4, 2009.
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Obamas, 2010
Image Credit: Getty Images President Barack Obama (L) waves as he and first lady Michelle Obama stand on the balcony as families gathered for Independence Day festivities on the South Lawn White House on July 4, 2010.
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Michelle Obama, 2011
Image Credit: Getty Images Michelle Obama greets members of the crowd as she welcomes members of the White House staff and armed servicemen and women at an Independence Day barbeque on the South Lawn of the White House on July 4, 2011.
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2013
Image Credit: Getty Images The South Lawn of the White House is prepared for a barbeque hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama on July 4, 2013.
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Donald Trump and Melania Trump, 2018
Image Credit: Getty Images Donald Trump and Melania Trump stand for the National Anthem during a picnic for military families on the South Lawn of the White House on July 4, 2018.
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2020
Image Credit: Getty Images A member of the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute team displays an American flag while landing on the Ellipse near the White House on July 4, 2020, in Washington, D.C.
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2020
Image Credit: Getty Images The White House is bathed in red, white and blue light as part of the Fourth of July celebration July 4, 2020.
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Joe Biden, 2021
Image Credit: Getty Images U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a Fourth of July BBQ event to celebrate Independence Day at the South Lawn of the White House July 4, 2021.
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Jill Biden, 2021
Image Credit: Getty Images Jill Biden (L) greets guests during a Fourth of July BBQ event to celebrate Independence Day at the South Lawn of the White House July 4, 2021.
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2022
Image Credit: Getty Images The Rose Garden is draped in American flags as guests on the south lawn watch the fireworks go off on national mall from the White House on July 4, 2022 in Washington, DC.
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2023
Image Credit: Getty Images (L-R) President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Finnegan Biden, Naomi Biden holding Beau Biden, Hunter Biden and Peter Neal watch fireworks on the South Lawn of the White House on July 4, 2023 in Washington, DC.
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2024
Image Credit: Getty Images President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris join hands in the air as they view the fireworks on the National Mall with First Lady Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff from the White House balcony during a 4th of July event on the South Lawn of the White House on July 4, 2024 in Washington, DC.