Since the 19th century, U.S. presidents have honored foreign heads of state with grand parties in the State Dining Room
Dinner for Dignitaries
From the very beginning of its history, the White House has served as the setting of official dinners hosted by presidents. In the early 19th century, the term "state dinner" was used to denote any affair that honored the president's cabinet, Congress or other dignitaries. Beginning with the administration of Ulysses S. Grant, however, the term came to mean a dinner hosted by the president in honor of a visiting head of state.Corbis
Big Moment
The menu awaits Queen Elizabeth II at the state dinner held in her honor in 2007. "A state dinner is so much more like a Broadway play than a dinner," says former White House chef Walter Scheib. "People will be watching closely for Mrs. Obama's personal style."Ron Sachs / Corbis
U.S. Grant and the King of the Sandwich Islands
Using the modern definition, the very first state dinner took place in 1874, when President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife welcomed Kind David Kalakaua of the Sandwich Islands, which included Hawaii, the future fiftieth state.The White House Historical Association (White House Collection)
The Table is Set
For many years, long banquet tables, like this one, set for a 1902 dinner in honor of Prince Henry of Prussia, were the norm. The custom of breaking up the room into circular tables was started by Jacqueline Kennedy. Her arrangement accommodated more guests — around 120 to 130 — and permitted the hosts to break away from the strict rules of protocol that comes from a formal seating arrangement.The White House Historical Association (White House Collection)
Off Site
During the Truman administration, as the White House underwent major renovations, state dinners were conducted at local hotels. For this 1949 banquet with the Shah of Iran, right, President Truman came to the Shoreham Hotel.Corbis
The Greeting
In the protocol that guides the dinner, the visiting head of state and his or her spouse enter the White House through the North Portico, where they are met by the President and First Lady. In this 1971 photo, President Nixon greets Yugoslavian President Josip Broz Tito and his wife.Bettmann / Corbis
Placecards
Highly coveted in diplomatic circles, an invitation to a state dinner gives the bearer access to some of the world's most powerful people. The most prestigious seats, of course, are at the tables of the President and First Lady.Corbis
Toast
One of the highlights of the evening is a traditional toast, which often serves as a platform to continue the more serious dialogue that accompanies an important diplomatic visit. Here, Soviet leader offers a toast at a dinner in his honor hosted by the Reagans in 1987.Peter Turnley / Corbis
Hostess
Though much of the protocol guiding the structure of a typical state dinner is handled by officers in the state department, many of the critical details — guest lists, menus, flowers, table settings, etc. — are handled by the First Lady and her staff. In this photo, Laura Bush poses in the State Dining Room prior to a dinner in honor of the Japanese Prime Minister.Katie Falkenberg / Corbis
Balcony
Mexican President Vicente Fox was honored at the first state dinner of the Bush administration. The Obamas will play host to the Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, on November 24.Eric Draper / White House
