Who was the first US President to live in the White House?

The iconic residence of the American president, though a symbol of the nation's leadership today, was still under construction when its first occupants arrived. George Washington, the nation's first president, oversaw the initial planning and construction of the "President's House" in the newly designated capital city of Washington D.C., but he never had the opportunity to live there. The cornerstone for the building was laid in 1792, and the structure slowly took shape over the next several years.

It was John Adams, the second President of the United States, who first moved into the unfinished executive mansion. He and his wife, Abigail Adams, arrived in November 1800, relocating from the temporary capital in Philadelphia. Their new home was far from complete; plaster was still wet, many rooms were uninhabitable, and the grand staircase had yet to be built. Abigail famously noted the challenges of living in a house that was still a work in progress, often hanging laundry to dry in the East Room, which was then the largest room in the house.

Despite the inconveniences, the move marked a significant moment in American history, solidifying Washington D.C. as the permanent seat of government and establishing the presidential residence. The building, though not yet officially known as the "White House" (a name that became common after its rebuilding following the War of 1812), began its long history as the center of American executive power with President Adams and his family. His brief residency there set the precedent for all future presidents.