Mamie Eisenhower—Born November 14, 1896 (Boone, IA). Died November 1, 1979 (Washington, D.C.)
White House Years: 1953-1961
Like many other first ladies, Mamie Eisenhower was a military spouse. She spent many years before her husband’s political career moving from state-to-state and country-to-country.
Mamie Eisenhower revived the White House Easter Egg Roll and opened it to African American children for the first time.
Mamie Eisenhower loved her role as first lady; she had no problem entertaining throngs of dignified guests, and with the development of commercial air travel, the Eisenhowers received a plethora of White House guests from all around the world.
The first home Mamie and Dwight Eisenhower ever owned in was not purchased until 1948, when they settled in Gettysburg, PA.
Mamie Eisenhower started the tradition of Halloween decorations in the White House.
Quote:
“Why this comes naturally. I’ve been training for it for 36 years. When you’re in the Army, you get used to chasing after your husband,” said Mamie Eisenhower during her husband’s 1952 presidential campaign.