The White House

📖 In short

The White House is the home and workplace of the President of the United States, in Washington, the capital. It's a big, beautiful white building where the president's family lives and where the offices for running the country are.

🤩 Did you know?

The East Room is the biggest room in the White House, 24 meters long.
President James Monroe moved back into the White House after it was rebuilt, in 1817.
The number of rooms in the White House went from 125 to 132 after it was enlarged.
The president's office is called the Oval Office because it's egg-shaped.

🔎 Find out more

🌟 Why is it white?

The White House was built of pale gray stone, then painted white to protect it from rain and cold. Over time people began calling it the White House.

🔍 Fire and rebuilding

In an old war the White House burned down, leaving only its walls. Then it was rebuilt and painted again, and the president came back to live there.

💡 Lots of rooms

The White House has more than 130 rooms, including rooms for receiving guests, a big room for parties, the president's oval office, and even a small cinema!