Which U.S. president hosted the first official White House Easter Egg Roll in 1878?

Rutherford B. Hayes hosted the first official White House Easter Egg Roll in 1878.

The event began after Congress passed legislation banning egg-rolling on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. Children had traditionally gathered there on Easter Monday, but concerns about damage to the landscaping led to the restriction. The White House then opened its grounds for the activity.

Hayes’s wife, Lucy Hayes, is often associated with the event because she welcomed children to the White House grounds, although the president made the formal decision to permit it. The tradition has continued under successive administrations, making it one of the oldest recurring public events at the White House.

The event is often confused with the broader American custom of Easter egg rolling. The White House version is specifically held on the South Lawn and has included egg rolling, storytelling, music, and other children’s activities.