Diplomacy With Our Northern Neighbors

Geography, history, and friendship have been the driving force of ties between the United States and Canada. In 1927, official rapport was established when our two countries received ambassadors and began a long diplomatic relationship. The first official state dinner hosted in honor of Canada's highest appointed official was held on December 6, 1927, as President Calvin Coolidge and First Lady Grace Coolidge welcomed Governor General Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon, and Viscountess Willingdon of Canada. In honor of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's 2016 State Visit to the White House, like his father before him, we reflect on the history, food, and protocol of official foreign visits by Canadian heads of state to the Executive Mansion.