The White House, c. 1846, by John Plumbe Jr, courtesy of the Library of Congress
As the world rings in a new year, in this week’s episode we look back on early American traditions for New Year’s with a focus on a New Year’s tradition in days gone by: the Presidential New Year’s Day Reception. From the very beginning to the last one in the 20th century, we look at how different presidents both before and after Harrison approached the event and what it meant for a nation working to develop its own identity after independence. For source notes and additional information, please visit http://whhpodcast.blubrry.com