Main Content

The President of the United States Meets the King of Rock ‘n' Roll

Early on the morning of December 21, 1970, Elvis Presley arrived at the White House and requested a meeting with President Richard Nixon. This impromptu meeting resulted in a famous photograph of the pair shaking hands in the Oval Office.

Today, it remains one of the most requested photographs from the National Archives and Records Administration. Although the photograph is iconic, the story behind this impromptu historic meeting is even more remarkable! In honor of the 52nd anniversary of this visit, White House Historical Association historian Lina Mann discusses Elvis Presley and Richard Nixon’s meeting in the Oval Office through exploration of a new digital exhibit.

Credit
White House Historical Association