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Easter Egg Roll: Bunnies and Other Easter Animals

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Laddie Boy Acting as Host for the Easter Egg Roll

In this photograph, taken on April 2, 1923 by Herbert E. French of the National Photo Company, children pose for a picture with Laddie Boy, the Harding family pet Airedale terrier, and his handler during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Laddie Boy "hosted" the Easter Egg Roll that year while the Hardings were away in Georgia. Dating back to 1878, the Easter Egg Roll is a cherished springtime tradition in Washington, D.C., with children and their families gathering to enjoy festivities on the South Lawn. This photograph is from the Herbert E. French Collection at the Library of Congress, which captured life in Washington, D.C., from the Wilson to the Hoover administrations.

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First pets are a popular attraction at the White House Egg Roll. Canine attendees of the event have included a wide variety of beloved purebreds and mutts. Animals as diverse as President Benjamin Harrison's toy pony, First Lady Grace Coolidge's raccoon and the 1,200-pound steer brought in by the Carters for their petting zoo have appeared on the South Lawn for Easter Monday. Appropriately, pet rabbits have also shown up at the egg roll. In 1969, one of First Lady Pat Nixon's staff put on a fleecy white costume, and the tradition of an official White House Easter Bunny was born. Now young egg rollers are just as thrilled to see this big bunny as they are the occupants of the White House.

Child Hugs the Easter Bunny at the White House Easter Egg Roll

In this photograph taken on April 12, 1982, by National Geographic Service photographer Donald Crump, a child hugs the Easter Bunny during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Dating back to 1878, the Easter Egg Roll is a cherished springtime tradition in Washington, D.C., with children and their families gathering on the South Lawn to enjoy the annual festivities.

White House Historical Association

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Easter Bunny Waves to a Child at the Annual Easter Egg Roll

In this photograph taken by White House Historical Association photographer William Phillips on April 1, 2003, the Easter Bunny waves to children during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Dating back to 1878, the Easter Egg Roll is a cherished springtime tradition in Washington, D.C., with children and their families gathering to enjoy festivities on the South Lawn.

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