The White House, Live Webcam

More info: Since its construction more than 220 years ago, the White House on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue has remained one of the most iconic and exclusive buildings in the world. It has been referred to as the “President’s Palace,” the “Executive Mansion,” and the “President’s House,” among other terms. President Theodore Roosevelt officially gave the White House its current name in 1901.

The founding father and first U.S. president chose the site where the White House would be built in 1791. He also approved the final design and on October 13, 1792, the cornerstone was laid and construction began. The term for President Washington ended in 1797 and he died in 1799 – one year before building was completed so he never had the opportunity to live in the “presidential palace.” President John Adams and his wife Abigail moved into the unfinished house in 1800, becoming the first residents.

One of the most notable mysteries surrounding the White House is the disappearance of its original cornerstone. Just 24 hours after it was laid in 1792, the cornerstone and its inscribed brass plate, disappeared. It has never been seen since. The Freemasons, who constructed the building, denied taking it, and numerous presidents, including Roosevelt and Truman, have tried to locate it, without success. One theory is that the cornerstone is hidden between two stone walls in the Rose Garden, but it has never been found.

The modern-day White House complex includes the Executive Residence, West Wing, East Wing, the Eisenhower Executive Office Building—the former State Department, which now houses offices for the president's staff and the vice president—and Blair House, a guest residence. The Executive Residence at the White House is made up of six stories—the Ground Floor, State Floor, Second Floor, and Third Floor, as well as a two-story basement. There are 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels in the Residence. There are also 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, and 3 elevators.

The largest room at the White House - the East Room was designated by architect James Hoban as the "Public Audience Room.” It normally contains little furniture and traditionally is used for large gatherings, like press conferences, bill-signing ceremonies, after-dinner entertaining, concerts, weddings, funerals, and award presentations. Five presidential daughters have been married in the room and during her four-month occupancy of the President’s House in the winter of 1800-1801, Abigail Adams had her laundry hung out to dry in the unfinished East Room.