White House Cornerstone Laid; 22 Mehr 1171

On 22 Mehr 1171, the cornerstone was laid for a residence in the newly founded capital of the United States, which later became a political symbol of the country. This piece revisits the formation of the White House, from Pierre Charles L'Enfant's unconventional design to the historic ups and downs this Neoclassical mansion has endured at the heart of Washington, D.C.

On October 22, 1171, the foundation stone of a residence was laid in the newly established capital of the United States, which later became a political symbol of this country. This essay is a review of the formation path of the "White House"; From Pierre Charles Lanfan's unorthodox design to the ups and downs of history that this neoclassical mansion in the heart of Washington DC has gone through.

According to Ambassador Arjan, [October 13, 1792 equal to Mehr 22, 1171] the foundation stone of the presidential residence was laid in the newly designated city of Washington DC, the capital of the United States. In 1800, John Adams was the first president to live in the Executive Mansion; A mansion that soon became known as the "White House" due to the dramatic contrast of the grayish-white Virginia limestone in its facade with the red bricks of the surrounding buildings.

The city of Washington was built to replace Philadelphia as the nation's capital; Because it was geographically located in the center of the newly established republic of the United States. The states of Maryland and Virginia ceded land around the Potomac River to form the District of Columbia, and construction began in Washington in 1791.

Pierre Charles Lanfan, a French architect, designed an unconventional plan for the city, which consisted of dozens of circular squares, diagonal and intersecting streets, and many parks.

In 1792, the construction of the neoclassical building of the White House began at 1600 Pennsylvania Street. A group of enslaved and freed African-American workers and European immigrants participated in the construction of this building. Irish-American architect James Hoban oversaw its design, and then-President George Washington chose the site for the palace.

On November 1, 1800, John Adams, President of the United States, was welcomed to the Executive Mansion. His wife, Abigail, wrote of their new home: “I pray the gates of heaven to bestow their best blessings upon this house and upon all who shall henceforth dwell in it. May none but wise men ever rule under this roof!

In 1814, during the War of 1812, British soldiers burned down the White House and the United States Capitol in response to the burning of government buildings in Canada by American troops. After that, the damaged building was renovated and expanded under the supervision of James Hoban. He added terraces to the east and west of the main building, as well as a semi-circular porch to the south and a colonnaded porch to the north. The stone walls, which were blackened by smoke, turned white. The construction and completion of the White House was completed in the 1820s.

During Harry Truman's presidency, extensive renovations were done in the White House. Truman also lived in Blair House across the street for several years. Since 1995, to ensure security, the traffic of cars has been prohibited on a part of Pennsylvania Avenue, between the White House and Lafayette Square.

Today, more than one million tourists visit the White House every year. It is the oldest federal building in the US capital.