Exploring the White House: Key facts about the iconic residence of the US president

The White House serves as the residence and office of the President of the United States. It has been home to every U.S. president since John Adams and is a symbol of American history. Originally chosen by George Washington in 1791, the White House was burned by British forces in 1814. It has since become a living museum, attracting over 1.5 million visitors each year. In 1995, a section of Pennsylvania Avenue was closed to vehicles for security reasons, creating a pedestrian area. The building was officially named the White House by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1901.