14 photos of St. Patrick's Day celebrations at the White House through the years

Talia LakritzMar 16, 2021, 01:23 IST

St. Patrick's Day at the White House.Joshua Roberts/Getty Images

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17 every year.
Irish leaders traditionally visit the White House and gift the US president with shamrocks.
During Barack Obama's presidency, the White House fountain was dyed green for the occasion.

In 1952, Ireland's ambassador to the US John Hearne sent President Harry Truman a box of shamrocks for St. Patrick's Day, and a tradition was born.

Over the years, the White House has celebrated the holiday with leprechauns, shamrock lapels, and even green dye in the fountains.

Here's what presidential St. Patrick's Day celebrations have looked like through the years.

As President John F. Kennedy was America's first Irish-Catholic president, St. Patrick's Day held special meaning for him.

President John F. Kennedy celebrates St. Patrick's Day in 1961. Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Images

Irish Ambassador William Patrick Fay pinned a cluster of shamrocks to President Richard Nixon's lapel in 1969.

President Richard Nixon celebrates St. Patrick's Day in 1969. AP

In 1977, President Jimmy Carter received a Waterford crystal vase from Irish foreign minister Garret FitzGerald.

President Jimmy Carter celebrates St. Patrick's Day in 1977. Harvey Georges/AP

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan gave FitzGerald a hat embroidered with the words "Very Important Irishman."

President Ronald Reagan marks St. Patrick's Day in 1984. Scott Stewart/AP

Reagan was visited by a leprechaun on St. Patrick's Day in 1986.

President Ronald Reagan celebrates St. Patrick's Day in 1986. Diana Walker/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images

President George H.W. Bush received a bowl of shamrocks from deputy prime minister of Ireland Brian Lenihan in 1990.

President George Bush celebrates St. Patrick's Day in 1990. Doug Mills/AP

First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton wore a green dress for St. Patrick's Day in 1995.

The Clintons mark St. Patrick's Day in 1995. Greg Gibson/AP

President Bill Clinton received a bowl of shamrocks from Prime Minister John Bruton in 1996.

President Bill Clinton celebrates St. Patrick's Day in 1996. RICHARD ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images

In 2001, President George W. Bush accepted the traditional gift in the Roosevelt Room.

The Bushes celebrate St. Patrick's Day in 2001. Mai/Mai/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty Images

President Bush, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi were serenaded by the United States Air Force Reserve Pipe Band in 2007.

St. Patrick's Day in 2007. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Michelle Obama wore a green Michael Kors dress to the White House St. Patrick's Day reception in 2011.

Michelle Obama celebrates St. Patrick's Day at the White House in 2011. Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

In 2012, the White House fountain on the South Lawn was dyed green for the occasion.

The White House fountain in 2012. Joshua Roberts/Getty Images

First lady Melania Trump wore a green animal print sheath dress designed by Brandon Maxwell to greet the prime minister of Ireland in 2018.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump greet Prime Minister Leo Varadkar of Ireland in 2018. Alex Edelman-Pool/Getty Images

President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Leo Varadkar wore shamrock lapels on St. Patrick's Day in 2018.

President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Leo Varadkar of Ireland at The White House in 2018. Chris Kleponis-Pool/Getty Images

The best-dressed Grammy award-winning artist the year you were born

Cookies on the Business Insider India website