Program for Dinner Honoring Duke Ellington

This is the front cover of an event program for a dinner hosted by President Richard M. Nixon on April 29, 1969 to honor jazz musician Duke Ellington. The dinner was held in the State Dining Room. During the dinner, guests enjoyed music by the Strolling Strings. After the dinner, guests enjoyed coffee and liquors in the Red, Green, and Blue Rooms. Later, the party transitioned to the East Room, where President Nixon presented Duke Ellington with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and guests enjoyed a concert of songs composed by Ellington. As the occasion also marked Duke Ellington's seventieth birthday, President Nixon invited guests to sing "Happy Birthday," while providing accompaniment on the piano. To view the complete program, see 1126980. This program is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. As executive chef from 1966-1987, Haller oversaw the menus for many formal dinners at the White House.