White House New Year's Reception

In the last few decades of its occurrence, the crowds were in the thousands, with a line of sometimes over 6,000 people, several blocks long.

It is believed Franklin Roosevelt did not continue the tradition due to the secrecy surrounding his disability and wheelchair use.

The year after, he welcomed African American guests, believed to be the first to have attended.

[10] Woodrow Wilson never held a public reception during his entire administration.

[1] Large lightly-secured public appearances by American presidents became much more restricted after the first quarter of the 20th century.