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First Lady Melania Trump announced Thursday the preliminary details for the traditional Easter Egg Roll at the White House, which invites families with young children to join the First Couple for a day of springtime celebration.
According to a press release from the office of the First Lady, the Easter Egg roll will be held April 21, 2025, on the South Lawn of the White House.
“The President and First Lady look forward to continuing this entertaining tradition and making it a truly memorable experience for all,” the press release stated.
According to the White House, the Easter Egg Roll’s history dates to 1878 when Rutherford B. Hayes held office, but informal celebrations have been reported as early as the presidency of Abraham Lincoln.
After Easter egg “rolling” was banned on Capitol grounds by President Ulysses S. Grant, American children literally changed the game in the late 1870s:
“In 1878, a group of bold children walked up to the White House gate, hoping to be allowed to play egg-rolling games there. President Hayes told his guards to let the children enter, and soon Easter Monday on the White House grounds became an annual tradition. President Benjamin Harrison added music to the festivities in 1889 with the United States Marine Band.”
Per the White House, Easter Egg tickets are dispersed to American families with a lottery system to ensure citizens from all 50 states get a chance to attend. Aside from the lottery, White House staff members are also allowed to attend the event.
Lottery winners will find out if they have been selected to attend by March 18.
According to Mrs. Trump’s statement, White House Easter Egg Roll commemorative eggs will be made available to the general public in 2025, with more information to come soon on that point on the official website.
