THE WHITE HOUSE: home to a Nation ...

The White House is the oficial residence of the President of the United States of America. It was built in the 1970s. Over the years the building has had several names. It was the 'President's House', the 'Executive Mansion', and the 'President's Palace'. Michelle Obama prefers to call it the 'People's House'. She says 'It is a historic building, but it is also a place where everyone is welcome'. Each year about 10 million people visit the White House. Free public tours of the White House are available for citizens of the United States. To reserve tickets, they must all contact their member of the Congress. In the past international visitors could also arrange for tickets for tours of the White House by contacting their country's embassy in Washington D.C. Unfortunately this service is not available at the moment, but we hope that the situation Will change in future. For more information, visit the following address: www.whitehouse.gov/about/tours-and-events. (Speak Up magazine).