See the joy-killing announcement that started the White House Easter Egg Roll

Easter Egg Roll

The White House Easter Egg Roll is a long-standing tradition that goes all the way back to 1878. But it wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for a curmudgeonly legislator.

Before the White House roll, kids had a roll on the Capitol lawn. Of course, kids aren’t the best thing for a lawn, and the grass was torn up by the end. So in 1876, William Holman introduced the Turf Protection Act, banning kids from rolling their eggs at the Capitol. In 1877, rain kept the world from noticing, but in 1878 the kids found out. All they got was a brusque announcement in the Washington Evening Star.

Announcement of Easter Egg Cancellation

Fortunately, President Rutherford B. Hayes stepped in and told the kids they could roll their eggs at the White House. It’s been a tradition ever since.

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