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See Also
See Again
© Getty Images
0 / 30 Fotos
There was no designated office area
- Although the Oval Office is the President's workroom, there was no designated office area during the first 100 years of White House history.
© Getty Images
1 / 30 Fotos
The Lincoln Bedroom
- During the 1800s, most Presidents worked and lived in the same rooms.
© Getty Images
2 / 30 Fotos
Time for change
- In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt got tired of the White House being so cramped and ordered the West Wing to be built.
© Getty Images
3 / 30 Fotos
The West Wing
- However, there still wasn't an Oval Office, and Roosevelt's command center became the Roosevelt Room, which was square.
© Getty Images
4 / 30 Fotos
The first version of the Oval Office
- It was President William Howard Taft who ordered the first version of the Oval Office to be constructed in 1909.
© Getty Images
5 / 30 Fotos
From round to oval
- Taft ordered the Oval Office to be built from what used to be the secretary's office. Since part of the room was already round, it was turned into an oval.
© Getty Images
6 / 30 Fotos
The popularity of oval-shaped rooms
- Oval rooms were really popular in the early days of American democracy. Even George Washington had oval-shaped rooms in his home in Philadelphia, which allowed guests to mingle easily.
© Getty Images
7 / 30 Fotos
Closer to operations
- It's believed that Taft's desire for an Oval Office right in the middle of the West Wing showed his desire to be more involved with the day-to-day operation of the presidency.
© Getty Images
8 / 30 Fotos
The original location
- President Franklin D. Roosevelt didn't like the location of Taft’s Oval Office because it was in the center of the West Wing and without any windows.
© Getty Images
9 / 30 Fotos
The current location
- So in 1934, he relocated the Oval Office to the southeast corner of the West Wing, where it remains today.
© Getty Images
10 / 30 Fotos
The Oval Office in size
- Today, the Oval Office is 35 feet (10.9m) long and 29 feet (8.8m) wide, providing room for both private work and public meetings.
© Getty Images
11 / 30 Fotos
The decor
- Each incoming president decorates the Oval Office to suit their own personal tastes.
© Getty Images
12 / 30 Fotos
The ceiling
- One of the permanent fixtures in the Oval Office is the Presidential Seal on the ceiling.
© Getty Images
13 / 30 Fotos
The meeting spot
- Across from the president's desk is the fireplace with two Martha Washington chairs. This is where the president meets with foreign leaders.
© Getty Images
14 / 30 Fotos
Entering the Oval Office
- In some TV shows, it seems like the Oval Office is disconnected from the rest of the White House. In reality, there are four doors leading to the rest of the West Wing.
© Getty Images
15 / 30 Fotos
"Hidden" doors
- Two doors on the north side of the Oval Office are designed to blend into the wall.
© Getty Images
16 / 30 Fotos
The Resolute Desk
- Most presidents since JFK have used the same desk since his presidency. It's called the Resolute Desk.
© Getty Images
17 / 30 Fotos
Part of history
- The Resolute Desk was a gift from Queen Victoria to President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1880. It was built from the oak timbers of the British Arctic exploration ship HMS Resolute.
© Getty Images
18 / 30 Fotos
The Oval Office rug
- Apart from paintings and colors, each President famously gets to redesign the Oval Office rug to their own liking.
© Getty Images
19 / 30 Fotos
The presidential seal is a must
- Regardless of the design, though, the middle of the rug carries the presidential seal.
© Getty Images
20 / 30 Fotos
The symbolism of the presidential seal
- The seal in the rug contains an eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and a bunch of arrows in the other. Before World War II, the eagle was looking towards the arrows. However, President Truman decided that the eagle should instead look towards the olive branch to represent a future of peace.
© Getty Images
21 / 30 Fotos
Keep it how it is
- President Jimmy Carter is one of the few presidents who didn't redecorate the Oval Office.
© Getty Images
22 / 30 Fotos
Nautical-themed decor
- President John F. Kennedy had the Oval Office covered with ocean and Navy-themed decor.
© Getty Images
23 / 30 Fotos
Inspirational decor
- Bill Clinton had two busts of his favorite presidents, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman, on his desk.
© Getty Images
24 / 30 Fotos
Personal touch
- Preferring a touch of antique gold, President George W. Bush also hung up lots of pictures of his native Texas.
© Getty Images
25 / 30 Fotos
A modern Oval Office
- President Barack Obama switched things up and favored a mix of traditional and modern art.
© Getty Images
26 / 30 Fotos
Two things that nobody ever moves
- The presidential flag remains to the president's left, and the US flag is always on the president's right.
© Getty Images
27 / 30 Fotos
Inspirational words
- President Truman had a sign on his Oval Office desk that read, "The buck stops here," meaning that you have to take responsibility for something and won't pass the responsibility on to someone else.
© Getty Images
28 / 30 Fotos
Popular slogan
- Both President Reagan and President Clinton had the slogan "It can be done" on their desk.
Sources: (White House History) (PBS Learning) (National Archives)
See also: Memorable weddings held at the White House
© Getty Images
29 / 30 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 30 Fotos
There was no designated office area
- Although the Oval Office is the President's workroom, there was no designated office area during the first 100 years of White House history.
© Getty Images
1 / 30 Fotos
The Lincoln Bedroom
- During the 1800s, most Presidents worked and lived in the same rooms.
© Getty Images
2 / 30 Fotos
Time for change
- In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt got tired of the White House being so cramped and ordered the West Wing to be built.
© Getty Images
3 / 30 Fotos
The West Wing
- However, there still wasn't an Oval Office, and Roosevelt's command center became the Roosevelt Room, which was square.
© Getty Images
4 / 30 Fotos
The first version of the Oval Office
- It was President William Howard Taft who ordered the first version of the Oval Office to be constructed in 1909.
© Getty Images
5 / 30 Fotos
From round to oval
- Taft ordered the Oval Office to be built from what used to be the secretary's office. Since part of the room was already round, it was turned into an oval.
© Getty Images
6 / 30 Fotos
The popularity of oval-shaped rooms
- Oval rooms were really popular in the early days of American democracy. Even George Washington had oval-shaped rooms in his home in Philadelphia, which allowed guests to mingle easily.
© Getty Images
7 / 30 Fotos
Closer to operations
- It's believed that Taft's desire for an Oval Office right in the middle of the West Wing showed his desire to be more involved with the day-to-day operation of the presidency.
© Getty Images
8 / 30 Fotos
The original location
- President Franklin D. Roosevelt didn't like the location of Taft’s Oval Office because it was in the center of the West Wing and without any windows.
© Getty Images
9 / 30 Fotos
The current location
- So in 1934, he relocated the Oval Office to the southeast corner of the West Wing, where it remains today.
© Getty Images
10 / 30 Fotos
The Oval Office in size
- Today, the Oval Office is 35 feet (10.9m) long and 29 feet (8.8m) wide, providing room for both private work and public meetings.
© Getty Images
11 / 30 Fotos
The decor
- Each incoming president decorates the Oval Office to suit their own personal tastes.
© Getty Images
12 / 30 Fotos
The ceiling
- One of the permanent fixtures in the Oval Office is the Presidential Seal on the ceiling.
© Getty Images
13 / 30 Fotos
The meeting spot
- Across from the president's desk is the fireplace with two Martha Washington chairs. This is where the president meets with foreign leaders.
© Getty Images
14 / 30 Fotos
Entering the Oval Office
- In some TV shows, it seems like the Oval Office is disconnected from the rest of the White House. In reality, there are four doors leading to the rest of the West Wing.
© Getty Images
15 / 30 Fotos
"Hidden" doors
- Two doors on the north side of the Oval Office are designed to blend into the wall.
© Getty Images
16 / 30 Fotos
The Resolute Desk
- Most presidents since JFK have used the same desk since his presidency. It's called the Resolute Desk.
© Getty Images
17 / 30 Fotos
Part of history
- The Resolute Desk was a gift from Queen Victoria to President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1880. It was built from the oak timbers of the British Arctic exploration ship HMS Resolute.
© Getty Images
18 / 30 Fotos
The Oval Office rug
- Apart from paintings and colors, each President famously gets to redesign the Oval Office rug to their own liking.
© Getty Images
19 / 30 Fotos
The presidential seal is a must
- Regardless of the design, though, the middle of the rug carries the presidential seal.
© Getty Images
20 / 30 Fotos
The symbolism of the presidential seal
- The seal in the rug contains an eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and a bunch of arrows in the other. Before World War II, the eagle was looking towards the arrows. However, President Truman decided that the eagle should instead look towards the olive branch to represent a future of peace.
© Getty Images
21 / 30 Fotos
Keep it how it is
- President Jimmy Carter is one of the few presidents who didn't redecorate the Oval Office.
© Getty Images
22 / 30 Fotos
Nautical-themed decor
- President John F. Kennedy had the Oval Office covered with ocean and Navy-themed decor.
© Getty Images
23 / 30 Fotos
Inspirational decor
- Bill Clinton had two busts of his favorite presidents, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman, on his desk.
© Getty Images
24 / 30 Fotos
Personal touch
- Preferring a touch of antique gold, President George W. Bush also hung up lots of pictures of his native Texas.
© Getty Images
25 / 30 Fotos
A modern Oval Office
- President Barack Obama switched things up and favored a mix of traditional and modern art.
© Getty Images
26 / 30 Fotos
Two things that nobody ever moves
- The presidential flag remains to the president's left, and the US flag is always on the president's right.
© Getty Images
27 / 30 Fotos
Inspirational words
- President Truman had a sign on his Oval Office desk that read, "The buck stops here," meaning that you have to take responsibility for something and won't pass the responsibility on to someone else.
© Getty Images
28 / 30 Fotos
Popular slogan
- Both President Reagan and President Clinton had the slogan "It can be done" on their desk.
Sources: (White House History) (PBS Learning) (National Archives)
See also: Memorable weddings held at the White House
© Getty Images
29 / 30 Fotos
Fascinating facts you probably didn't know about the Oval Office
This is where the President handles important work
© Getty Images
The working space of the President of the United States, the Oval Office symbolizes power, command, and authority. Associated with the presidency itself through memorable images, the iconic office only opened in 1909, becoming since the spot where historic decisions are made, agreements are hammered out, and legislation is discussed. It's also where the President meets important guests and dignitaries and where America's leaders get to enjoy rare moments of peace and quiet.
Click on to learn more about the Oval Office.
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