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Its history, and the history of the nation's capital, began when President George Washington signed an Act of Congress in December of 1790 declaring that the federal government would reside in a district "not exceeding ten miles square…on the river Potomac." President Washington, together with city planner Pierre L’Enfant, chose the site for the new residence, which is now 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. As preparations began for the new federal city, a competition was held to find a builder of the "President’s House." Nine proposals were submitted, and Irish-born architect [[James Hoban]] won a gold medal for his practical and handsome design.

Its history, and the history of the nation's capital, began when President George Washington signed an Act of Congress in December of 1790 declaring that the federal government would reside in a district "not exceeding ten miles square…on the river Potomac." President Washington, together with city planner Pierre L’Enfant, chose the site for the new residence, which is now 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. As preparations began for the new federal city, a competition was held to find a builder of the "President’s House." Nine proposals were submitted, and Irish-born architect [[James Hoban]] won a gold medal for his practical and handsome design.

Construction began when the first cornerstone was laid in October of 1792. <ref> [http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/history/ WHITE HOUSE HISTORY] </ref> [[George Washington]] ordered the construction and helped to choose the site while he was president. Adams and his wife Abigail, moved into the mansion while it was still under construction.   

Construction began when the first cornerstone was laid in October of 1792.<ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/history/ WHITE HOUSE HISTORY]</ref> [[George Washington]] ordered the construction and helped to choose the site while he was president. Adams and his wife Abigail, moved into the mansion while it was still under construction.   

[[File:Leinster House.jpg|thumb|The Leinster House.]]

[[File:Leinster House.jpg|thumb|The Leinster House.]]

[[Thomas Jefferson]] was among the many people who submitted a plan for the White House. His design, however, was not chosen. Instead, James Hoban, an Irish immigrant architect living in Charleston, [[South Carolina]], won the competition and a $500 prize, with a design modeled after Leinster House in [[Dublin]], [[Ireland]]. <ref> [http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/jb/nation/whitehse_2  The Cornerstone Of The White House.] </ref>

[[Thomas Jefferson]] was among the many people who submitted a plan for the White House. His design, however, was not chosen. Instead, James Hoban, an Irish immigrant architect living in Charleston, [[South Carolina]], won the competition and a $500 prize, with a design modeled after Leinster House in [[Dublin]], [[Ireland]].<ref>[http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/jb/nation/whitehse_2  The Cornerstone Of The White House.]</ref>

The original name was the Presidential Palace or President's House; it acquired the sobriquet ''The White House'' after it was burned by the British in 1814 during the [[War of 1812]], and subsequently covered over by white paint to hide the exterior scorch marks. In 1901 (1902?), President [[Theodore Roosevelt]] officially gave the White House its current name.

The original name was the Presidential Palace or President's House; it acquired the sobriquet ''The White House'' after it was burned by the British in 1814 during the [[War of 1812]], and subsequently covered over by white paint to hide the exterior scorch marks. In 1901 (1902?), President [[Theodore Roosevelt]] officially gave the White House its current name.

*  A main residence and architectural wings on the east and west sides

*  A main residence and architectural wings on the east and west sides

* 4 stories, plus a basement and sub-basement

* 4 stories, plus a basement and sub-basement

* 55,000 ft² (5,100 m²) of floor space (67,000 ft² including the wings)

* 55,000&nbsp;ft² (5,100 m²) of floor space (67,000&nbsp;ft² including the wings)

* 132 rooms and 35 bathrooms, including 16 family-guest rooms, 1 main kitchen, 1 diet kitchen, 1 family kitchen

* 132 rooms and 35 bathrooms, including 16 family-guest rooms, 1 main kitchen, 1 diet kitchen, 1 family kitchen

* The White House hosts about 5,000 visitors a day, or 1,825,000 visitors a year.

* The White House hosts about 5,000 visitors a day, or 1,825,000 visitors a year.

*The White House fence encloses 18 acres of land.   

*The White House fence encloses 18 acres of land.   

[[Image:Harnett Cincinnati Enquirer.jpg|thumb|William M. Harnett's "Cincinnati Enquirer," on display at the White House.]]

[[Image:Harnett Cincinnati Enquirer.jpg|thumb|William M. Harnett's "Cincinnati Enquirer," on display at the White House.]]

*The White House has (excluding storage rooms): 10 rooms on the Ground Floor, 1 main corridor, 6 restrooms; 8 rooms on the State Floor, 1 main corridor, 1 entrance hall; 16 rooms, 1 main corridor, 6 bathrooms, and 1 restroom on the 2nd floor; and 20 rooms, 1 main corridor, 9 bathrooms on the 3rd floor. <ref>[http://www.whitehousehistory.org/index.html White House Historical Association.]

*The White House has (excluding storage rooms): 10 rooms on the Ground Floor, 1 main corridor, 6 restrooms; 8 rooms on the State Floor, 1 main corridor, 1 entrance hall; 16 rooms, 1 main corridor, 6 bathrooms, and 1 restroom on the 2nd floor; and 20 rooms, 1 main corridor, 9 bathrooms on the 3rd floor.<ref>[http://www.whitehousehistory.org/index.html White House Historical Association.]

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