16 photos of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at the White House through the years

As President John F. Kennedy was America’s first Irish-Catholic president, St. Patrick’s Day held special meaning for him.

President John F. Kennedy celebrates St. Patrick’s Day in 1961. Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Images

In 1952, Ireland’s ambassador to the US John Hearne sent President Harry Truman a box of shamrocks for St. Patrick’s Day, and a tradition was born.

In 1961, Irish Ambassador Thomas J. Kiernan presented Kennedy with a basket of shamrocks and the Kennedy coat of arms with a family tree showing his Irish ancestry.

Irish Ambassador William Patrick Fay pinned a cluster of shamrocks to President Richard Nixon’s lapel in 1969.

President Richard Nixon celebrates St. Patrick’s Day in 1969. AP

The Irish delegation also gifted him with a foot-high Waterford crystal vase engraved with a White House etching.

In 1977, President Jimmy Carter received a Waterford crystal vase from Irish foreign minister Garret FitzGerald.

President Jimmy Carter celebrates St. Patrick’s Day in 1977. Harvey Georges/AP

FitzGerald went on to serve as Taoiseach, the prime minister of Ireland, from 1981 to 1982 and from 1982 to 1987.

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan gave FitzGerald a hat embroidered with the words “Very Important Irishman.”

President Ronald Reagan marks St. Patrick’s Day in 1984. Scott Stewart/AP

Reagan also accepted the traditonal shamrock gift.

Reagan was visited by a leprechaun on St. Patrick’s Day in 1986.

President Ronald Reagan celebrates St. Patrick’s Day in 1986. Diana Walker/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images

The leprechaun presented Reagan with a personalized shamrock.

President George H.W. Bush received a bowl of shamrocks from deputy prime minister of Ireland Brian Lenihan in 1990.

President George Bush celebrates St. Patrick’s Day in 1990. Doug Mills/AP

The reception took place in the White House Rose Garden.

First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton wore a green dress for St. Patrick’s Day in 1995.

The Clintons mark St. Patrick’s Day in 1995. Greg Gibson/AP

President Bill Clinton and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton posed with Irish Prime Minister John Bruton and his wife, Finola Bruton, in the Grand Foyer of the White House.

President Bill Clinton received a bowl of shamrocks from Prime Minister John Bruton in 1996.

President Bill Clinton celebrates St. Patrick’s Day in 1996. RICHARD ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images

The two men also wore shamrock lapels.

In 2001, President George W. Bush accepted the traditional gift in the Roosevelt Room.

The Bushes celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in 2001. Mai/Mai/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty Images

First lady Laura Bush wore a green jacket in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.

President Bush, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi were serenaded by the United States Air Force Reserve Pipe Band in 2007.

St. Patrick’s Day in 2007. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The group walked down the steps of the House of Representatives on their way to the White House for the shamrock ceremony.

Michelle Obama wore a green Michael Kors dress to the White House St. Patrick’s Day reception in 2011.

Michelle Obama celebrates St. Patrick’s Day at the White House in 2011. Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Obama stood onstage with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny’s wife, Fionnuala Kenny.

In 2012, the White House fountain on the South Lawn was dyed green for the occasion.

The White House fountain in 2012. Joshua Roberts/Getty Images

President Obama also visited a bar and attended a St. Patrick’s Day lunch at the Capitol.

First lady Melania Trump wore a green animal print sheath dress designed by Brandon Maxwell to greet the prime minister of Ireland in 2018.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump greet Prime Minister Leo Varadkar of Ireland in 2018. Alex Edelman-Pool/Getty Images

She paired the dress with Christian Louboutin snakeskin heels.

President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Leo Varadkar wore shamrock lapels on St. Patrick’s Day in 2018.

President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Leo Varadkar of Ireland at The White House in 2018. Chris Kleponis-Pool/Getty Images

When asked if he would visit Ireland, Trump said, “I would love to visit Ireland soon, I will come, I love it, I have property there, I will go,” the BBC reported.

President Joe Biden continued Obama’s tradition of dyeing the fountain green for his first St. Patrick’s Day in the White House.

Marine One flies over a green White House fountain on St. Patrick’s Day in 2021. JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

St. Patrick’s Day has special significance this year as Biden is the first Irish Catholic president since Kennedy. He is known for often quoting Irish poets in his speeches.

Biden held a virtual meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, where he accepted the traditional shamrock from afar.

President Joe Biden marks St. Patrick’s Day at the White House in 2021. JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

Like many of his predecessors, Biden wore a green tie and shamrock lapel.

Vice President Kamala Harris also held a virtual meeting with Martin.