We have Congress to thank for the White House Easter Egg Roll

Tens of thousands packed the South Lawn of the White House on Monday for a tradition that dates back to 1878.

The Easter Egg Roll is one of the White House’s oldest traditions and it has Congress to thank for it’s creation.

In the early 1870s, children would have their egg rolling fun on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. While the hills there were perfect for egg rolling, some members of Congress didn’t think it was the best for the lawn.

In 1876, Congress passed a law restricting activity on the lawn of the Capitol, which included egg rolling.

Rain on Easter Monday in 1877 caused the new law to go unnoticed, but the next year kids in the District were looking for a new egg rolling spot, so they went to the White House.

Rutherford B. Hayes became every egg rolling kid’s favorite president by allowing them to use the South Lawn for their fun, and the annual tradition was born.

Not all presidents and first ladies can leave a lasting mark on the Easter Egg Roll. Some who have include President Benjamin Harrison. On April 22, 1889, he introduced music to the event by having the U.S. Marine Band perform. John Philip Sousa directed the band, and wrote the march “Easter Monday on the White House Lawn,” in its honor.

After not having the Easter Egg Roll due to World War II and construction at the White House, the Eisenhowers brought the event back in 1953. First Lady Mamie Eisenhower was said to be disturbed by seeing Black children watching the event from outside the gates. Because of Mrs. Eisenhower, that was the last segregated Easter Egg Roll.

The Nixons brought change to the event during their time in The White House. Pat Nixon invited the Easter Bunny to attend, and introduced the Egg Roll Races activities, both continue to this day.

Nancy Reagan started the tradition of giving out wooden egg souvenirs as people left the event.

The White House Easter Egg Roll has been incredibly popular since its beginning, so popular that in the late 1930s, the Secret Service had to shut down an illegal operation of children sneaking adults into the event, for a fee.

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In this photograph taken by Francis Benjamin Johnston in 1898, a boy and a girl hold hands during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Dating back to 1878, the Easter Egg Roll is a cherished springtime tradition in Washington, D.C., with children and their families gathering to enjoy festivities on the South Lawn. Francis Benjamin Johnston was one of the first influential female photographers in America, and became well known for her intimate photographs of the Roosevelt family, White House, and Washington society. (Library of Congress)

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This is a photograph taken by Frances Benjamin Johnston showing the crowds gathered on the South Lawn for the White House Easter Egg Roll. Dating back to 1878, the Easter Egg Roll is a cherished springtime tradition in Washington, D.C., with children and their families gathering to enjoy festivities on the South Lawn. Francis Benjamin Johnston was one of the first influential female photographers in America, and she is well known for her intimate photographs of the Roosevelt family, White House, and Washington society. (Library of Congress)

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Wooden Easter eggs with President Bush and Laura Bush’s signature are given, Monday, April 21, 2003, to those who take part in the annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House. President Bush and wife Laura return later from a Easter weekend stay at the Crawford, Texas, ranch. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

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President Joe Biden accompanied by first lady Jill Biden, left, welcomes entertainer and The Tonight Show Host Jimmy Fallon to the stage to read his book “Nana” during the White House Easter Egg Roll at the White House, Monday, April 18, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

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President Barack Obama watches children participate in the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of White House in Washington, Monday, April 6, 2015. Thousands of children gathered at the White House for the annual Easter Egg Roll. This year’s event features live music, cooking stations, storytelling, and of course, some Easter egg roll. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

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President Donald Trump, joined by the Easter Bunny, sings the national anthem with a member of the “The President’s Own,” United States Marine Band, from the Truman Balcony of the White House in Washington, Monday, April 22, 2019, during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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Vice President and Mrs. Barbara Bush, standing left, watch as a young child starts the annual White House Easter Egg roll, Monday, April 20, 1987 in Washington on the South Lawn of the White House. Some 37,000 people attended the 109th Easter Egg roll. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

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President Barack Obama listens as his daughters Sasha, center, and Malia, right, read “A Sick Day for Amos McGee,” during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, Monday, April 9, 2012, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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Children participate in the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, April, 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

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President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden participate in the 2023 White House Easter Egg Roll, Monday, April 10, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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Jimmy Alexander

Jimmy Alexander has been a part of the D.C. media scene as a reporter for DC News Now and a long-standing voice on the Jack Diamond Morning Show. Now, Alexander brings those years spent interviewing newsmakers like President Bill Clinton, Paul McCartney and Sean Connery, to the WTOP Newsroom.

Will Vitka

William Vitka is a Digital Writer/Editor for WTOP.com. He's been in the news industry for over a decade. Before joining WTOP, he worked for CBS News, Stuff Magazine, The New York Post and wrote a variety of books—about a dozen of them, with more to come.