document_title: United Airlines

question_text: what are the major hubs for united airlines

text: United Airlines

text: History

text: United traces its roots to Varney Air Lines (VAL), which Walter Varney founded in 1926 in Boise, Idaho. Continental Airlines is the successor to Speed Lanes, which Varney had founded by 1932 and whose name changed to Varney Speed Lines in 1934. VAL flew the first privately contracted air mail flight in the U.S. on April 6, 1926.[21][22][23]

text: In 1927, William Boeing founded Boeing Air Transport to operate air mail routes under contract with the United States Post Office Department.[24] In 1929, Boeing merged his company with Pratt & Whitney to form the United Aircraft and Transport Corporation (UATC) which then set about buying, in the space of just 28 months, Pacific Air Transport, Stout Air Services, VAL, and National Air Transport, as well as numerous equipment manufacturers at the same time.[25][26] On March 28, 1931, UATC formed United Air Lines, Inc. as a holding company for its airline subsidiaries.[27]

text: In 1933, United began operating the Boeing 247 airliner.[28] It was able to fly a transcontinental route in 20 hours, making it approximately 50 percent faster than its predecessors and decreasing flight times by about 33 percent.[29] After passage of the Air Mail Act in 1934, which barred common ownership of airplane manufacturers and airlines, UATC was broken up. All manufacturing interests east of the Mississippi became United Aircraft (the future United Technologies), while all manufacturing interests west of the Mississippi became a revived Boeing Airplane Company. UATC's former airline interests were folded into a single airline, United Air Lines.[30]

text: After World War II, United gained from a boom in customer demand for air travel, with its revenue per passenger-miles jumping five-fold in the 1950s, and continued growth occurring through the next two decades.[31] From 1953 until 1970 United offered "men only" flights which forbade children and women (with the exception of two female flight attendants per flight). Passengers were allowed to smoke and were offered complimentary cigars and drinks, and a steak dinner.[32][33][34]

text: In 1954, United Airlines became the first airline to purchase flight simulators which had visual, sound, and motion cues for pilot training. Purchased for US$3 million (1954) from Curtiss-Wright, these were the first of today's modern flight simulators for training of commercial passenger aircraft pilots.[35]

text: United merged with Capital Airlines in 1961, which helped United to regain its position as the "number one airline" in the U.S. In 1968, United Airlines became a subsidiary of the UAL Corporation. United experienced several periods of labor unrest during the 1970s, and the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 forced United to scale down its operations to remain profitable.[25]

text: In 1982, United became the first carrier to operate the Boeing 767, taking delivery of 767-200s on August 19.[36] In May 1985, the airline underwent a 29-day pilot strike over management's proposed "B-scale" pilot pay rates.[37]

text: In 1985, United expanded dramatically by purchasing Pan Am's entire Pacific Division, giving it a prime Asian hub at Tokyo's Narita International Airport, and in 1991 purchased routes to Heathrow Airport from ailing Pan Am,.[38] making it one of two US carriers permitted exclusive access to Heathrow under Bermuda II until "open skies" took effect in 2008 (American Airlines was the other, after it purchased TWA's Heathrow landing slots). The aftermath of the Gulf War and increased competition from low-cost carriers led to losses in 1991 and 1992.[25][39] In 1994, United's pilots, machinists, baggage handlers, and non-contract employees agreed to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), acquiring 55 percent of company stock in exchange for 15–25 percent salary concessions. This made the carrier the largest employee-owned corporation in the world.[40] United also launched low-cost subsidiary Shuttle by United in 1994, which was a high frequency, west coast-based carrier that remained in operation until 2001.[25]

text: In 1995, United became the first airline to introduce the Boeing 777 in commercial service.[41] In 1997, United co-founded the Star Alliance airline partnership. In May 2000, United announced a plan to acquire US Airways for US$11.6 billion, but withdrew the offer in July 2001 before the United States Department of Justice barred the merger on antitrust grounds due to widespread objection from employee unions, customers, and political leaders.[25][42] May 2000 also saw a bitter contract dispute between United and its pilots' union over pay cuts and concessions to fund the ESOP and overtime work, causing summer flight cancellations until a salary increase was agreed upon.[43]

text: During the September 11, 2001 attacks, two of the four airliners hijacked and crashed by al-Qaeda members were United aircraft. United Airlines Flight 175 was flown into the south World Trade Center tower. United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in a field in Pennsylvania after the passengers fought back against the hijackers. An airline industry downturn resulted. Economic problems, skyrocketing oil prices, and higher labor costs caused United to lose US$2.14 billion in 2001. That same year, United applied for a US$1.5 billion loan guarantee from the federal Air Transportation Stabilization Board established in the wake of the September 11 attacks.[citation needed] United filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on December 9, 2002.[44] United then furloughed thousands of workers, closed its U.S. city ticket offices, cancelled several existing and planned routes, downsized its Miami operations, and closed some maintenance bases.[citation needed] The carrier also negotiated labor cuts with employees,[44] suppliers, and contractors. United terminated feeder contracts with United Express carriers Atlantic Coast Airlines and Air Wisconsin.[citation needed] In 2005, United cancelled its pension plan in the largest such default in U.S. corporate history.[44] On September 7, 2005, United announced that it had raised US$3 billion in financing to exit bankruptcy and filed its Plan of Reorganization. United emerged from bankruptcy on February 1, 2006.[44]

text: In 2004, United launched a new low-cost carrier named Ted[44] and a premium p.s. coast-to-coast service on re-configured Boeing 757 aircraft.[citation needed] On June 4, 2008, United announced the closure of its Ted unit and reconfigured the subsidiary's aircraft for a return to mainline configuration.[45][46]

text: In late 2006, Continental Airlines and United had preliminary merger discussions.[47][48] On April 16, 2010, those discussions resumed.[49] The board of directors of Continental and UAL Corporation agreed on May 2, 2010, to combine operations, contingent upon shareholder and regulatory approval. While United would be the surviving airline, the merged airline would adopt Continental's logo and livery. Continental's chief executive officer (CEO) Jeff Smisek would head the new company.[50] The merger was approved by the European Commission in July 2010 and by the U.S. Justice Department on August 27, 2010.[51][52] On September 17, 2010, United's shareholders approved the merger.[53] On October 1, 2010, the UAL Corporation changed its name to United Continental Holdings, Inc.[54] The carriers planned to begin merging their operations in 2011.[55] The merged airline began operating under a single air operator's certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration on November 30, 2011.[56] On March 3, 2012, United and Continental merged their passenger service systems, frequent-flier programs, and websites, which virtually eliminated the Continental brand with the exception of its logo.[57]

text: In October 2015, United appointed Brett J. Hart as its acting CEO, four days after CEO Oscar Munoz suffered a heart attack.[58]

text: Hubs

text: Current hubs

text: United currently operates seven hubs.[59]

text:
Chicago–O'Hare – O'Hare is United's largest hub and its hub for the Midwest. United flies approximately 36 million passengers through O'Hare every year, which is about 99,000 people per day, making it also the busiest airline at the airport.[60] United's corporate headquarters are also in Chicago.
Houston–Intercontinental – located in Houston, is United's second-largest hub. It is the airline's hub for the Southern United States and primary gateway to Latin America.[61] About 33.5 million passengers fly through IAH on United every year, or about 91,000 people per day.[61] United currently has about 78% of the seat share at Bush, making it the airport's largest tenant.[62]
Newark – The third-largest hub for United in terms of number of flights and destinations and United's primary hub for the East Coast and a gateway to Europe, Latin America and Asia.[63] About 28.5 million passengers fly on United through Newark every year, or about 78,000 people per day. United controls about 81% of the slots at Newark and carries about 68% of all passengers at the airport.[64][65] United controls all of Terminal C and uses part of Terminal A for United Express Flights.
Denver – The fourth-largest hub in terms of number of destinations and flights and United's primary hub for the central and western United States.[66] In 2017 United flew approximately 25.9 million passengers through DIA or about 71,000 people per day.[66] As of December 2017, United has about 42% of the market share at DIA making it the airport's largest airline. United occupies all 70 gates of Concourse B at the airport and a recently started 39-gate expansion to all three of the airport's concourses will give United another 11 gates when the project is completed in 2021.[67]
San Francisco – The fifth-largest hub in terms of number of flights, and sixth-biggest in terms of number of destinations, and United's primary hub for the West Coast and gateway to Asia and Australia.[68] About 22 million passengers pass through SFO every year on United, which is about 60,000 people per day.[68] United has about 46% of the market share at San Francisco International, making it the biggest airline at the airport.[69]
Washington–Dulles – The sixth-largest hub in terms of number of flights, and fifth-biggest in terms of number of destinations, and United's secondary hub for the East Coast and gateway to Europe.[70] United has about 65% of the market share at Washington Dulles, making it the largest airline at the airport.[71] About 14 million passengers fly through Dulles every year on United, which is about 38,465 people per day.[70]
Los Angeles – The seventh-largest hub for United in terms of number of destinations and flights and United's secondary hub for the West Coast and gateway to Asia and Australia.[72] About 10 million passengers fly through LAX on United every year, or about 28,000 people per day.[72] United has 15% of the market share at LAX, making it the third-biggest carrier at the airport.[73]

text: Destinations

text: United operates to 235 destinations and 138 international destinations in 60 countries across Asia, the Americas, Europe, and Oceania. United's domestic route network operates from seven hubs. The carrier's scheduled services to Africa have been discontinued since June 30, 2016.[74]

text:
UA hubs listed by departures including UA Express (Qtr. 3: 2017)

Rank

Airport

Flights

Destinations

1

Chicago–O'Hare

528[60]

188[60]

2

Houston—Intercontinental

483[61]

171[61]

3

Newark

398[63]

162

4

Denver

370[66]

136[66]

5

San Francisco

273[68]

130[68]

6

Washington—Dulles

214[70]

113[70]

7

Los Angeles

138[72]

62[72]

text: Codeshare agreements

text: As of October 2016, United codeshared with the following airlines:[75]

text:
Aer Lingus
Aeromar
Air Canada
Air China
Air India
Air Dolomiti
Air New Zealand
All Nippon Airways
Asiana Airlines
Austrian Airlines
Avianca
Avianca Brazil
Azul Brazilian Airlines
Brussels Airlines
Cape Air
Copa Airlines
Croatia Airlines
EgyptAir
Ethiopian Airlines
Eurowings
EVA Air
Hawaiian Airlines
Island Air
Jet Airways
LOT Polish Airlines
Lufthansa
Scandinavian Airlines
Silver Airways
Singapore Airlines
South African Airways
Swiss International Air Lines
TAP Air Portugal
Turkish Airlines

text: Fleet

text: As of August 2018, United Airlines operated a fleet of 758 aircraft; all Boeing and Airbus.[76]

text: On July 20, 2011, American Airlines announced an order for 460 narrowbody jets, including 260 Airbus A320s.[77] The order broke Boeing's monopoly with the airline and forced Boeing into the re-engined 737 MAX.[78] This sale included a Most-Favoured-Customer Clause, which requires Airbus to refund to American any difference between the price paid by American and a lower price paid by United or another airline. This perpetuates United's having a Boeing-skewed fleet.[79]

text: On September 22, 2012, United became the first American airline to take delivery of Boeing 787 aircraft.[80] United also is the North American launch customer for the Boeing 787-9[81] and 787-10 aircraft,[82] which are stretched versions of the base 787-8 model.

text:
In May 2018, United planned to replace its 51 Boeing 767 in a deal potentially worth $14 billion at list prices, and was in talks with both Airbus offering its A330neo, and Boeing its 787.[83]
United operates 128 757s and 767s (77 B757's and 51 B767's), the second-largest combined fleet after Delta Air Lines with 206 (127 757s and 79 767s) and both has to replace them, like American to a lesser degree: they could be replaced by 737 MAX 10s, A321neos, Boeing NMAs, 787-8s or A330-800neos.[84]

text: Cabin

text: United Polaris Business

text:
These seats can be found on all Boeing 787 aircraft, Boeing 767-400 aircraft, Boeing 757-200, and select Boeing 777-200ER aircraft.
United Polaris Business is offered on all wide-body aircraft, as well as all Boeing 757-200s. United Polaris Business passengers check in at separate counters and can use priority security screening where available. On international flights, in-flight services include pre-departure beverages, table linens and multi course meals designed in partnership with Charlie Trotter-affiliated chefs via the airline's partnership with the Trotter Project.[85] Passengers are also given priority with boarding and baggage handling and access to the United Polaris Lounge where available, as well as the United Club and partner airline lounges when traveling on international routes. All Polaris Business seats recline 180 degrees into a full, flat bed. On select Boeing 777-200ER and Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, the seats alternate facing forward and backwards. On the Boeing 787, Boeing 767-400, Boeing 757-200 and select Boeing 767-300ER and Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, all seats face forward.[citation needed]

text: Other domestic routes, especially hub-to-hub service and certain non "United p.s." transcontinental flights, regularly see internationally configured aircraft with United Polaris Business seating for operational reasons (such as transferring international aircraft from one hub to another). While the physical seats and entertainment are the same as on international flights, the service, catering and other amenities are the same as in domestic first class. Unlike routes marketed as United p.s., these flights are eligible for complimentary premier upgrades.[citation needed]

text: On June 2, 2016, United introduced its new, redesigned international business class seat that will replace current business class seats. The new United Polaris Business seat will be featured on Airbus A350-900, Boeing 777-300ER, and Boeing 787-10 aircraft, and will be retrofitted later on Boeing 767, Boeing 777-200ER, and Boeing 787 aircraft. The Polaris seat converts into a 6' 6" flat bed in a 1-2-1 configuration or a 1-1-1 configuration, providing all-aisle access for every seat. The seat boasts multiple storage areas, mood lighting, multiple charging ports, lumbar support, and improved dining and amenity services.[86]

text: United Premium Plus

text: United Premium Plus will be United's premium economy product, to be installed through 2020 on wide-body international aircraft. United Premium Plus seating will offer more space, comfort and amenities compared to United Economy or Economy Plus, and will offer upgraded dining on china dinnerware, free alcoholic beverages, a Saks Fifth Avenue blanket and pillow, an amenity kit and more. United expects the first aircraft with these seats to be flying by mid-2018, with the full service launch in 2019. During the interim period, United will likely sell these seats as part of Economy Plus.[87]

text: United premium transcontinental service

text: United premium transcontinental service is offered on transcontinental flights between Newark and Los Angeles or San Francisco and between Boston and San Francisco. Previously branded as p.s. (short for "Premium Service") when initially launched in 2004, through 2017, these flights utilize primarily Boeing 757-200s, with 180-degrees-flat Polaris Business seats. The premium cabin also features international style catering, while all seats have access to inflight wi-fi, on demand entertainment, and power outlets. Business class passengers also have access to the United Club at Newark, Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.[88]

text: All premium transcontinental flights were moved from New York JFK to Newark Liberty Airport on October 25, 2015.[89]

text: These routes are not eligible for Complimentary Premier upgrades, although MileagePlus members can upgrade using Regional Premier Upgrades, Global Premier Upgrades, or MileagePlus award miles.[90]

text: Since July 2017, passengers in Economy Plus get a complimentary hot entree, dessert, fruit, pre-arrival snack, and alcoholic beverages.[91]

text: United First and United Business

text: United First is offered on all domestically configured aircraft. When such aircraft are used on international services such as services to Canada, Central America and the Caribbean destinations, this cabin is branded as United Business. United First seats on narrowbody aircraft have a 38-inch (97 cm) seat pitch, while United First seats on re-configured domestic Boeing 777-200 aircraft feature fully flat bed seats. Passengers receive priority boarding and baggage handling, pre-departure beverages, complimentary meals and separate check-in desks.[92]

text: In 2015, United released its new domestic first class seat design. The new leather seats feature cradling headrests, granite cocktail tables, and a tablet stand. These seats will debut on Airbus A319 and Airbus A320 aircraft, and will eventually be installed on all domestic aircraft.[93]

text: Economy Plus

text: United Economy Plus is available on all aircraft. Economy Plus seats are located in the front few rows and exit rows of the economy cabin and have two inches' (5.1 cm) more recline and at least 5 to 6 inches (13 to 15 cm) of additional seat pitch totaling 4–7 inches of recline (aircraft dependent) and 35–37 inches of pitch. Economy Plus is complimentary for all MileagePlus Premier members. Premier 1K, Platinum and Gold members may select an Economy Plus seat when booking, while silver members can select an Economy Plus seat at check-in.[94] It can also be purchased depending upon availability by other passengers.

text: Prior to the merger between United and Continental, United Airlines aircraft offered Economy Plus, while Continental did not. Following the merger, Economy Plus was rolled out across the combined fleet.[95]

text: Economy

text: United Economy is available on all aircraft, and usually have a pitch of 31 inches (30 inches on aircraft refurbished with Slimline seats, and 32 inches on Boeing 787s) and a recline of 2–5 inches. All economy seats feature an adjustable headrest and some form of entertainment, ranging from AVOD, inflight wi-fi, personal device entertainment, or overhead entertainment. Economy seats on Boeing 767, Boeing 777, Boeing 787, and select renovated 757-200 aircraft feature a personal 7-inch (18 cm) touchscreen television at the back of each seat with United Private Screening. Select Boeing 757-300 and select Boeing 737 aircraft feature overhead entertainment. On Airbus A319, A320, select Boeing 737, select Boeing 757-300, select 757-200 and domestically configured Boeing 777 aircraft feature personal device entertainment, and WiFi. Other Boeing 737 and Boeing 757-300 aircraft feature DirecTV.[96] In April 2018, United upgraded all aircraft with over 70 seats to include Wi-Fi and personal device entertainment even with DirecTV equipped.[97]

text: Food and snacks are available for purchase on domestic, Caribbean, and some Latin America flights. These include snacks, fresh meals, and snack boxes, depending on flight time and distance. Meals are complimentary on all other international flights. Only beverages are complimentary in economy on North America flights. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase on North America flights, but are complimentary on long-haul international flights.[98] On flights where meals are served, a cocktail snack with a beverage is served shortly after takeoff, followed by a main course, then dessert. Longer international flights feature a pre-arrival meal, which usually consists of a light breakfast or snack. United announced that it will offer free snacks on domestic, Caribbean, and Latin America flights beginning in February 2016.[99]

text: Basic Economy

text: Basic Economy is available on select routes and in addition to standard fares. Intended to be United's lowest fare, Basic Economy fares provide most of the same inflight services and amenities with standard United Economy Class.[100] With Basic Economy, group/family seating, seat selection/upgrades and bringing full-sized carry-on bags are not allowed. When booking online, it is clearly marked - with a user prompt to confirm the user is booking a Basic Economy fare. Users also have the option to pay a small fee to upgrade their booking to regular Economy. Also, certain MileagePlus and Premier member benefits are not available.[101]

text: Reward services

text: MileagePlus is the frequent flyer program for United Airlines.[102]

text: United Club is the airline lounge associated with United Airlines and United Express carriers. The United Club replaced the former United Red Carpet Club and Continental Airlines Presidents Club prior to United Airlines' merger with Continental.[citation needed]

text: Corporate affairs

text: Headquarters

text: In 2007, United moved its headquarters and 350 top executives from Elk Grove Township, a suburb of Chicago, to 77 West Wacker Drive in the Chicago Loop[103] after receiving US$5.5 million in incentives frim the City of Chicago.[104] The Elk Grove campus became an operations center after several of United's offices in suburban Chicago were consolidated there.[105]

text: In 2010, United accepted the City of Chicago's offer of US$35 million in incentives, including a US$10 million grant, for United to move its remaining 2,500 employees out of Elk Grove Township to the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) in the Chicago Loop.[104] On May 31, 2012, United opened its operations center, which occupied twelve floors of the Willis Tower.[106]

text: Other facilities

text: The Elk Grove Township former headquarters campus was gradually annexed into the Village of Mount Prospect,[107][108] and serves as an IT operations facility, with a new 172,000 square foot (16,000 m2) data center constructed in 2013.[109] United maintains a large presence in downtown Houston, having leased 225,000 sq ft (20,900 m2) of space (seven floors) for occupancy in late 2017.[110]

text: United has training facilities for its flight crews in Denver and Houston, a major aircraft maintenance center in San Francisco, and call centers in Houston and Chicago.

text: United formerly owned the Waikiki Seaside Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii which was used by its flight crews until it was sold in February 2012.[111]

text: Original brand image

text: The pre-merger United logo, commonly nicknamed the "tulip", was developed in the early 1970s after the airline commissioned designer Saul Bass to develop a new brand image.[112] The logo represented the airline's monogram as well as a modernized version of the airline's shield logo[113] which had been adopted in the 1930s, but fell out of use by the late 1960s. The ribbon-like rendering has also been said to symbolize the motion of flight.[114]

text: Marketing themes

text: United's earliest slogan, "The Main Line Airway", emphasized its signature New York-Chicago-San Francisco route, and was replaced in 1965 with "Fly the Friendly Skies". The "friendly skies" tagline was in use until 1996 in its first iteration.[115] The "It's time to fly" slogan was created in 2004. After the merger of United and Continental in October 2010, the slogan changed to "Let's fly together" until September 2013.[115] On September 20, 2013, United announced a return of the "Fly the Friendly Skies" slogan in an ad campaign to start the following day.[116] The resurrected slogan would be accompanied by the 1924 George Gershwin song "Rhapsody in Blue" as its theme song, and a voiceover provided by Matt Damon.[115]

text: United licensed its theme song, "Rhapsody in Blue", from Gershwin's estate for US$500,000 (equivalent to $2,150,292 in 2017) in 1976.[117] "Rhapsody" would have entered the public domain in 2000, but the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998 extended its copyright another 20 years. United announced that it would continue to use "Rhapsody in Blue" as its theme song following the merger with Continental.[118]

text: Environmental efforts

text: Because over 98 percent of United's greenhouse gas emissions are from jet fuel, its environmental strategy has focused on operational fuel efficiency initiatives and investments in sustainably produced, low-carbon alternative fuels.[citation needed]

text: On August 23, 2011, United Continental Holdings, Inc. announced a conversion to paperless flight decks, and projected that by the end of the year, 11,000 iPads will have been deployed to all United and Continental pilots. Each iPad, which weighs less than 1.5 pounds (0.68 kg), will replace approximately 38 pounds (17 kg) of paper operating manuals, navigation charts, reference handbooks, flight checklists, logbooks, and weather information. The green benefits include reductions in paper use, printing, and fuel consumption.[119]

text: On November 7, 2011, United flew the world's first commercial aviation flight on a microbially-derived biofuel. The aircraft was fueled with 40 percent Solajet, which is Solazyme's algae-derived renewable jet fuel, and 60 percent petroleum-derived jet fuel. This flight was operated by the Eco-Skies Boeing 737-800 aircraft from Houston to Chicago-O'Hare.[120]

text: On January 15, 2013, Aviation Partners Boeing (APB), a joint venture between Aviation Partners Inc. and Boeing, announced that United had agreed to replace the Blended Winglets on its Boeing Next Generation 737 aircraft with APB's Split Scimitar Winglet (SSW), significantly reducing drag. Once the SSWs are installed, it is estimated that APB's winglet technology will save United more than $250 million annually in fuel costs.[121]

text: On June 30, 2015, United invested US$30 million in Fulcrum BioEnergy, an alternative fuel company. Fulcrum's alternative fuel is produced through a clean and efficient thermochemical process and reduces lifecycle carbon emissions by more than 80 percent. As part of its investment, United will work with Fulcrum to develop up to five alternative fuel refineries near its U.S. hubs. These refineries will produce up to 180 million gallons of sustainable aviation alternative fuel per year, and United will have the opportunity to purchase at least 90 million gallons per year for a minimum of 10 years, making it the largest aviation alternative fuel commitment to date.[122]

text: On March 11, 2016, United became the first airline in the world to fly on commercial-scale quantities of such fuels on a continuous basis, which were procured from AltAir Fuels. This fuel was produced from sustainable feedstocks such as non-edible natural oils and agricultural wastes, and is expected to provide a greater than 60 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions on a lifecycle basis when compared to traditional jet fuel. United has agreed to purchase up to 15 million gallons of sustainable alternative fuel from AltAir Fuels for use in Los Angeles over a three-year period.[123]

text: In 2016, United began partnering with Clean the World to repurpose items from the airline's international premium class amenity kits and donate the hygiene products to those in critical need. Clean the World provides hygiene education and soap to promote handwashing, which helps prevent hygiene-related deaths. During the first year of this partnership, United expected to divert 60,000 pounds (27,200 kg) of material that otherwise would have gone to landfills.[124]

text: In 2017 United started a partnership with Audubon International to protect raptors—including hawks, ospreys and owls—in and around New York-area airports and resettle the birds-of-prey at suitable golf course habitats where the species are more likely to thrive.[125]

text: Labor

text: All United Airlines pilots are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association. A new Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement was ratified by a majority of the United/Continental pilots on December 15, 2012,[126][127] which struck down a scope clause that disallowed Continental from outsourcing the flying of regional jets with 70 or more passenger seats.[128]

text: Animal transport

text: In 2013, after pressure from PETA, United announced that it would no longer transport monkeys to laboratories. United was the last North American passenger airline to transport these animals to laboratories.[129][130] United flies more animals and has longer flight stage length than any other US airline, and accounted for one third of animal deaths of US airlines between 2012 and 2017.[131]

text: Effective March 20, 2018, the PetSafe program was suspended with no new reservations for cargo transport of pets accepted.[132] This came after United announced plans to mark pet carriers in the passenger cabin with bright tags[133] and legislation was introduced in the United States House of Representatives[134] and United States Senate banning the placement of pets in overhead compartments.[135] This was in response to a  dog death after a passenger placed it in the overhead compartment following flight attendant instructions, but the flight attendant denied knowing that the luggage contained a dog.[136]

text: Cyber security

text: United awarded airline miles as "bug bounties" to hackers who could identify gaps in the carrier's web security. Two hackers have each been rewarded with 1 million miles of air travel as of July 15, 2015. This cyber security program was announced a few weeks before the company experienced two software glitches. The first incident delayed 150 United flights on June 2 due to a problem with its flight dispatching system. Six days later, United's reservation system delayed flights by not allowing passengers to check in. In addition to the "bug bounty" program, United said it tests systems internally and engages cybersecurity firms.[137][138]

text: Accidents and Incidents

text:
1930s

NC13304

Flight 6

Flight 4[139]

NC13323[140]

NC13355[141]

1940s

41-24027

Flight 521

Flight 608

Flight 624

1950s

Flight 129[142]

Flight 610

Flight 615

Flight 409

Flight 629

Flight 718

Flight 736

1960s

Flight 826

Flight 859

Flight 297

Flight 823

Flight 389

Flight 227

Flight 266

1970s

Flight 553

Flight 2860

Flight 696

Flight 173

1980s

Flight 811

Flight 232

Flight 2885

Flight 2415

1990s

Flight 585

Flight 6291

Flight 5925

Flight 826

Flight 863

2000s

Flight 175

Flight 93

2010s

Flight 3411

text: Dave Carroll Guitar

text: In 2008, United baggage handlers broke Canadian musician Dave Carroll's guitar. After nine months fruitlessly trying to resolve the situation, Carroll released three songs about the incident. The first, United Breaks Guitars, has over 17 million views as of 2017, and caused a significant public relations embarrassment for the airline.[143]

text: United 3411

text: On the evening of April 9, 2017, a revenue passenger was forcibly removed by law enforcement from United Airlines flight 3411 at Chicago-O'Hare, bound for Louisville.[144] United announced that it needed four seats for airline staff on the sold-out flight.[145] When no passengers volunteered after being offered vouchers worth $800, United staff selected four passengers to leave. Three of them did so, but the fourth, a doctor named David Dao, declined as he said that he had patients to treat the following morning. He was pulled from his seat by Chicago Department of Aviation security officers and dragged by his arms down the aisle. Dao sustained a concussion, broken teeth, a broken nose, and other injuries.[146] The incident was captured on smartphone cameras and posted on social media, triggering an angry public backlash. Afterwards, United's chief executive officer, Oscar Munoz, described Dao as "disruptive and belligerent", apologized for "re-accommodating" the paying customers, and defended and praised staff for "following established procedures". He was widely criticized as "tone-deaf".[147] Munoz later issued a second statement calling what happened a "truly horrific event" and accepting "full responsibility" for it.[148] After a lawsuit, Dao reached an undisclosed settlement with United and airport police. In the aftermath, United's board of directors decided that Munoz would not become its chairman and that executive compensation would be tied to customer satisfaction.[149] Following this incident, passenger complaints increased by 70 percent.[150]


document_title: Donnie Darko

question_text: who is frank supposed to be in donnie darko

root

text: Donnie Darko

text: Plot[edit]

text: On October 2, 1988, in the town of Middlesex, Virginia, troubled teenager Donald "Donnie" Darko sleepwalks out his house and is woken by a figure in a monstrous rabbit costume. The figure introduces himself as "Frank" and tells Donnie the precise time the world will end: in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds. Donnie returns home to discover a jet engine has crashed into his bedroom. His sister Elizabeth tells him the FAA investigators do not know its origin.

tag: p

text: Over the next several days, Donnie continues to have visions of Frank, and his parents Eddie and Rose send him to psychotherapist Dr. Thurman. Dr. Thurman believes Donnie is detached from reality, and that his visions of Frank are "daylight hallucinations", symptomatic of paranoid schizophrenia. When Frank tells Donnie about time travel, Donnie asks his science teacher Dr. Kenneth Monnitoff about it. Dr. Monnitoff gives Donnie The Philosophy of Time Travel, a book written by Roberta Sparrow, a former science teacher at the school who is now a seemingly senile old woman living outside of town. Donnie also starts seeing Gretchen Ross, who has recently moved into town with her mother under a new identity to escape her violent stepfather.

text: Frank begins to influence Donnie's actions, including flooding his high school by breaking a water main. Gym teacher Kitty Farmer attributes the act of vandalism to the influence of the short story "The Destructors", assigned by dedicated English teacher Karen Pomeroy. Kitty begins teaching attitude lessons taken from motivational speaker Jim Cunningham, but Donnie rebels against these, leading to friction between Kitty and Rose. Kitty arranges for Cunningham to speak at a school assembly, where Donnie insults him. Donnie later finds Cunningham's wallet and address, and Frank suggests setting his house on fire. Firefighters discover a hoard of child pornography there, Cunningham is arrested, and Kitty, who wishes to testify in his defense, asks Rose to chaperone her daughter Samantha's dance troupe to Los Angeles.

text: With their parents traveling, Donnie and Elizabeth hold a Halloween costume party to celebrate Elizabeth's acceptance to Harvard. At the party, Gretchen arrives distraught as her mother has gone missing. Donnie realizes Frank's prophesied time is only hours away. He takes Gretchen and two other friends to visit Sparrow. They find her away, when they are attacked by two high school bullies, Seth and Ricky, who were trying to rob Sparrow's home. Donnie, Seth, and Ricky get into a fist fight onto the road, just as Sparrow is walking back home along it, and she stops to watch. A car swerves to avoid Sparrow and runs over Gretchen, killing her. The driver turns out to be Elizabeth's boyfriend Frank Anderson, wearing the same rabbit costume from Donnie's visions. Frank leaves the car, asking if she's dead and what they were thinking to stand in the middle of the road. Donnie shoots him in the eye with his father's gun.

text: Donnie sees a vortex form over his house. The plane carrying Rose and the dance troupe, returning from Los Angeles, is caught in its wake, and its jet engine detaches and falls into the vortex. Events of the previous 28 days unwind. Donnie wakes up in his bedroom, recognizes the date is October 2, and laughs as the jet engine falls into his bedroom, crushing him. Around town, those whose lives Donnie had touched earlier wake up from troubled dreams. Gretchen rides by the Darko's home the next morning, and learns of Donnie's death. Gretchen and Rose exchange glances and wave as if they know each other, but cannot remember where.

text: Cast[edit]

text:
Jake Gyllenhaal as Donald "Donnie" Darko
Jena Malone as Gretchen Ross
Mary McDonnell as Rose Darko
Holmes Osborne as Eddie Darko
Katharine Ross as Dr. Lilian Thurman
Maggie Gyllenhaal as Elizabeth Darko
Daveigh Chase as Samantha Darko
James Duval as Frank Anderson
Drew Barrymore as Karen Pomeroy
Patrick Swayze as Jim Cunningham
Noah Wyle as Dr. Kenneth Monnitoff
Beth Grant as Kitty Farmer
Stuart Stone as Ronald Fisher
Gary Lundy as Sean Smith
Alex Greenwald as Seth Devlin
Seth Rogen as Ricky Danforth
Patience Cleveland as Roberta Sparrow / "Grandma Death"
Jolene Purdy as Cherita Chen
Ashley Tisdale as Kim
Jerry Trainor as Lanky kid
David St. James as Bob Garland
Scotty Leavenworth as David
Fran Kranz as Passenger
Jack Salvatore Jr. as Larry Riesman
Arthur Taxier as Dr. Fisher

tag: ul

text: Production[edit]

text: Although the film was always meant to be set in 1988, Kelly admitted he felt pressured to make the setting more contemporary; but, he couldn't figure out how to make the story work in such a setting and retained the original setting.[10] In an interview with BBC, Kelly said he "set out to write something ambitious, personal, and nostalgic about the late 80s."[11] Frank, the giant rabbit, was inspired by the novel Watership Down, with the novel's censorship being a plot point before being abandoned in the final version.[12] Newer information has shown the costume could also have been an inspiration from a dream Kelly had.[13]

text: Filming[edit]

text: Donnie Darko was filmed in 28 days which, by coincidence, virtually matches the time that transpires in the film from October 2, 1988, to the Friday or Saturday weekend party before Halloween on Monday, October 31, 1988.[2] The budget for the film was $4.5 million.[2]

text: It almost went straight to home video, but was theatrically released by Drew Barrymore's production company, Flower Films.[4]

text: Some scenes were shot in Bixby Knolls Virginia Country Club, in Long Beach, California, with many of the school sequences shot at Loyola High School. The "Carpathian Ridge" scenes were shot on the Angeles Crest Highway.[14]

text: Music[edit]

text: In 2003, the piano-driven cover of Tears for Fears' "Mad World" featured in the film, as part of the end sequence, was a hit for composer Michael Andrews and singer Gary Jules, topping the charts in the United Kingdom and Portugal.[15]

text: One continuous sequence involving an introduction of Donnie's high school prominently features the song "Head over Heels", by Tears for Fears, Samantha's dance group, "Sparkle Motion", performs with the song "Notorious", by Duran Duran, and "Under the Milky Way", by The Church, is played after Donnie and Gretchen emerge from his room during the party. "Love Will Tear Us Apart", by Joy Division, also appears in the film diegetically during the party and shots of Donnie and Gretchen upstairs. The version included was released in 1995, although the film is set in 1988. The opening sequence is set to "The Killing Moon" by Echo & the Bunnymen.[16] In the theatrical cut, the song playing during the Halloween party is "Proud to be Loud" by Pantera, a track released on their 1988 album, which would coincide with the time setting of the film. However, the band is credited as "The Dead Green Mummies".

text: In the re-released Director's cut version of the film, the music in the opening sequence is replaced by "Never Tear Us Apart" by INXS; "Under the Milky Way" is moved to the scene of Donnie and Eddie driving home from Donnie's meeting with his therapist; and "The Killing Moon" is played as Gretchen and Donnie return to the party from Donnie's parents' room.[16]

text: Release[edit]

text: The film had a limited release, opening October 26, the month following the September 11 attacks. It was subsequently held back for almost a year for international release. Kelly said it took almost six months to sell the movie. "It almost went directly to the Starz network. We had to beg them to put it in theaters. Filmmaker Christopher Nolan stepped in and convinced Newmarket to put it in theaters."[17]

text: Marketing[edit]

text: The Donnie Darko Book, written by Richard Kelly, is a 2003 book about the film. It includes an introduction by Jake Gyllenhaal, the screenplay of the Donnie Darko: The Director's Cut, an in-depth interview with Kelly, facsimile pages from the Philosophy of Time Travel, photos and drawings from the film, and artwork it inspired. NECA released first a six-inch (15 cm) figure of Frank the Bunny and later a foot-tall (30 cm) "talking version" of the same figure.

text: Home media[edit]

text: The film was originally released on VHS and DVD in March 2002. Strong DVD sales led Newmarket Films to release a "Director's Cut" on DVD in 2004. Bob Berney, President of Newmarket Films, has described the film as "a runaway hit on DVD," citing United States sales of more than $10 million.

text: The film was released in the U.S. on Blu-ray on February 10, 2009, containing both versions. The movie was then re-released on July 26, 2011 as a four-disc, 10th anniversary edition, once again containing both versions in HD, and the theatrical version on DVD.

text: The film was released as a 2-disc Blu-ray special edition in the UK on July 19, 2010, by Metrodome Distribution, and featuring both Original and Director's Cut. It also included commentaries from director Kelly and actor Gyllenhaal, Kelly and Kevin Smith, and cast and crew, including Drew Barrymore.

text: In December 2016, Arrow Films released a limited edition 4K resolution Blu-ray of the film in the UK, supervised and approved by director Kelly. This release includes both the Director's and Theatrical cuts and was accompanied by a Dual format Blu-ray and DVD release.[18] In the US, it was released in April 2017.

text: Director's cut[edit]

text: Donnie Darko: The Director's Cut was released on May 29, 2004, in Seattle, Washington, at the Seattle International Film Festival, and later in New York City and Los Angeles, on July 23, 2004. The tickets sold out within the day for the Seattle International Film Festival premiere, grossing nearly $33,000 over a five-day period.[19] This cut includes twenty minutes of extra footage and an altered soundtrack.

text: The director's cut DVD was released on February 15, 2005 in single- and double-disc versions, the latter being available in a standard DVD case or in a limited edition that also features a lenticular slipcase, whose central image alternates between Donnie and Frank depending on the viewing angle. Most additional features are exclusive to the two-DVD set: the director's commentary assisted by Kevin Smith,[20] excerpts from the storyboard, a 52-minute production diary, "#1 fan video", a "cult following" video interviewing English fans, and the new director's cut trailer. The single-DVD edition was also released as a giveaway with copies of the British Sunday Times newspaper on February 19, 2006.

text: The DVD of the Director's Cut includes text of the in-universe fictional book, The Philosophy of Time Travel, written by Roberta Sparrow, which Donnie is given and reads in the film.[21] The text expands on the philosophical and scientific concepts much of the film's plot revolves around, and has been seen as a way to understand the film better than from its theatrical release.[22][23][24] As outlined by Salon's Dan Kois from the book's text, much of the film takes place in an unstable Tangent Universe that is connected to the Primary Universe and a duplicate of it, except for an extra metal vessel known as an Artifact — the plane engine. If the Artifact is not sent to the Primary Universe by the chosen Living Receiver (Donnie) within 28 days, the Primary Universe will be destroyed upon collapse of the Tangent. To aid in this task, the Living Receiver is given super-human abilities such as foresight, physical strength and elemental powers, but at the cost of troubling visions and paranoia, while the Manipulated Living (all who live around the Receiver) support him in unnatural ways, setting up a domino-like chain of events encouraging him to return the Artifact. The Manipulated Dead (those who die within the Tangent Universe, like Frank and Gretchen) are more aware than the Living, having the power to travel through time, and will set an Ensurance Trap, a scenario which leaves the Receiver no choice but to save the Primary Universe.[22]

text: Reception[edit]

text: Box office[edit]

text: Donnie Darko had its first screening at the Sundance Film Festival, on January 19, 2001, and debuted in United States theaters on October 26, 2001, to a tepid response. During its opening weekend, it was shown on only 58 screens nationwide, grossing $110,494.[25] This may have been the result of the movie being released shortly after the September 11 attacks.[26] By the time the film's run closed in United States theaters, on April 11, 2002, it had earned just $517,375.[3][25] It ultimately grossed $7.6 million worldwide, just enough to recoup its budget.[3]

text: Despite its poor box office showing, the film began to attract a devoted fan base. It was originally released on VHS and DVD in March 2002. During this time, the Pioneer Theatre in New York City's East Village began midnight screenings of Donnie Darko that continued for 28 consecutive months.[15] In the United Kingdom, Donnie Darko sold 300,000 tickets within the first six weeks of its release, based mostly on word-of-mouth marketing.[27]

text: Critical reaction[edit]

text: The film received critical acclaim, with praise towards the acting, atmosphere and unconventional writing. Rotten Tomatoes gives the theatrical version of the film an 85% rating, and the director's cut a 91% rating.[9] The site's critical consensus reads, "Richard Kelly's debut feature Donnie Darko is a daring, original vision, packed with jarring ideas and intelligence and featuring a remarkable performance from Jake Gyllenhaal as the troubled title character." Metacritic gives the theatrical version of the film a score of 71 out of 100, based on 21 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews", whereas the director's cut received a much higher score of 88 out of 100, based on 15 reviews, which indicates "universal acclaim".[28]

text: Andrew Johnson cited the film in Us Weekly, as one of the outstanding films at Sundance in 2001, describing it as "a heady blend of science fiction, spirituality, and teen angst."[29] Jean Oppenheimer of New Times (LA) praised the film, saying, "Like gathering storm clouds, Donnie Darko creates an atmosphere of eerie calm and mounting menace—[and] stands as one of the most exceptional movies of 2001."[30] Writing for ABC Australia, Megan Spencer called the movie "menacing, dreamy, [and] exciting" and noted "it could take you to a deeply emotional place lying dormant in your soul."[31] Roger Ebert gave the theatrical version of the film two and a half stars out of four, but later gave the director's cut three stars out of four.[32]

text: Accolades[edit]

text:
2001: Richard Kelly's Donnie Darko script won "Best Screenplay" at the San Diego Film Critics Society. Donnie Darko also won the "Audience Award" for Best Feature at the Sweden Fantastic Film Festival. The film was nominated for "Best Film" at the Sitges Film Festival and for the "Grand Jury Prize" at the Sundance Film Festival. The film was nominated for three Independent Spirit Awards including Best First Feature, Best First Screenplay and Best Male Lead for Gyllenhaal.
2002: Donnie Darko won the "Special Award" at the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films's 28th Saturn Awards. The movie also won the "Silver Scream Award" at the Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival. Kelly was nominated for "Best First Feature" and "Best First Screenplay" with Donnie Darko, and Gyllenhaal was nominated for "Best Male Lead," at the Independent Spirit Awards. The film was also nominated for the "Best Breakthrough Film" at the Online Film Critics Society Awards.
2005: Donnie Darko ranked in the top five on My Favourite Film, an Australian poll conducted by the ABC.[33]
2006: Donnie Darko ranks #9 in FilmFour's 50 Films to See Before You Die.[34]

text:
#14 on Entertainment Weekly's list of the 50 Best High School Movies.[35]
#2 in Empire's "50 Greatest Independent Films of All Time" list.[5]
#53 in Empire's 500 Greatest Movies of All Time 2008 poll.[6]

text: Sequels[edit]

text: A 2009 sequel, S. Darko, centers on Sam, Donnie's younger sister. Sam begins to have strange dreams that hint at a major catastrophe. Donnie Darko creator Richard Kelly has said he had no involvement in the sequel, as he does not own the rights to the original.[36] Chase and producer Adam Fields were the only creative links between it and the original film. The sequel received extremely negative reviews.[9][37]

text: In an interview published on January 24, 2017, Kelly revealed there's a movie set in the world of Donnie Darko he wants to make, that would be much bigger and more ambitious than the original. Because of the large budget required, Kelly said he will look into securing the necessary resources, once he finishes with his next film.[38]

text: In an interview with PopMatters magazine journalist J.C. Maçek III director Richard Kelly said regarding the sequel S. Darko, "I hate it when people ask me about that sequel because" he laughs, morosely, "I had nothing to do with it. And I hate it when people try and blame me or hold me responsible for it because I had no [involvement]. I don’t control the underlying rights to [the Donnie Darko franchise]. I had to relinquish them when I was 24-years old. I hate when people ask me about that because I’ve never seen it and I never will, so… don’t ask me about the sequel." He adds with a cynical laugh, "Those people are making lots of money. They’re certainly making lots of money."[39] When asked if he would ever do an official sequel, Kelly responded, "I’m open to doing something much bigger and longer and more ambitious that could be a new story." He added, "We’ll see what happens. I have a lot of stuff that I’m working on and it’s ambitious and it’s expensive and we’ll see what happens."[39]

text: Adaptations[edit]

text: Marcus Stern, associate director of the American Repertory Theater, directed a stage adaptation of Donnie Darko at the Zero Arrow Theatre, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the fall of 2007. It ran from October 27 until November 18, 2007, with opening night scheduled near Halloween.

text: An article written by the production drama team says the director and production team planned to "embrace the challenge to make the fantastical elements come alive on stage."[40] In 2004, Stern adapted and directed Kelly's screenplay for a graduate student production at the American Repertory Theatre's Institute for Advanced Theater Training (I.A.T.T./M.X.A.T.).


document_title: Life Is Strange: Before the Storm

question_text: when is episode 2 coming out for life is strange before the storm

text: Life Is Strange: Before the Storm

text: Gameplay[edit]

text: Life Is Strange: Before the Storm is a graphic adventure played from a third-person view. The player assumes control of sixteen-year-old Chloe Price, three years prior to Life Is Strange. Unlike its predecessor, the game does not include time travel. Instead, Before the Storm features the ability "Backtalk", with which the player can call upon Chloe to get out of certain precarious situations; "Backtalk" may also make a situation worse. A dialogue tree is used when a conversation or commentary is prompted. Occasional decisions will temporarily or permanently change outcomes. The environment can be interacted with and altered, including marking walls with graffiti.[2][3]

text: Plot[edit]

text: Sixteen-year-old Chloe Price enters an old mill to attend a house concert. Conflict arises with two men inside, whom she evades when schoolmate Rachel Amber causes a distraction. The next day, Chloe and Rachel reunite at school. They decide to stow away on a cargo train, ending up at a lookout point. Using a viewfinder there, Rachel is upset by what she sees and insists on getting drunk. Having stolen some wine, they take a walk to a scrapyard. Chloe confronts Rachel about her change in mood, but is refused an answer. After Rachel leaves, Chloe discovers the wrecked car in which her father was killed. She meets up with Rachel again, who discloses that she witnessed her father cheating on her mother through the viewfinder. Rachel destroys a family photo in a burning trash bin, and in a fit of rage kicks it over, igniting a wildfire.[4]

text: Development[edit]

text: Publisher Square Enix chose Deck Nine to develop the prequel to Life Is Strange after the developer's proprietary StoryForge tools had made an impression.[5] Development started in 2016 with the Unity game engine. Rhianna DeVries, who initially did the game's motion capture for Chloe Price, voices the character, while the original voice actress Ashly Burch serves as writing consultant.[2][6][7] Burch did not reprise her role due to the SAG-AFTRA strike.[8] The music was written and performed by the British indie folk band Daughter, and released as an official soundtrack by Glassnote Records on 1 September 2017.[9] Instrumentation was employed to represent different sides of the lead character: piano for isolation, electric guitar for rebelliousness, and layered vocals for friendship.[10] Daughter took the script and concept artwork as inspiration.[11]

text: Release[edit]

text: Prior to its official announcement, images had leaked online indicating that a prequel to Life Is Strange was in development.[12] Square Enix revealed Life Is Strange: Before the Storm on 11 June during E3 2017, stating that it would be released over three chapters starting on 31 August for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.[2] The Deluxe Edition includes the bonus chapter "Farewell"—featuring Max Caulfield of the original game as a playable character—three additional outfits, and Mixtape Mode, allowing players to customise playlists with the game's soundtrack.[3]

text:
Episode
Release date

"Episode 1: Awake"[13]
31 August 2017

"Episode 2: Brave New World"[14]
19 October 2017

"Episode 3: Hell Is Empty"[14]
TBA

tag: table

text: Reception[edit]

text:
Aggregate review scores

Game
Metacritic

Episode 1: Awake
(PC) 77/100[15]
(PS4) 78/100[16]
(XONE) 80/100[17]

text: Critics appraised Episode 1: Awake the most on its character development of Chloe Price and Rachel Amber.[18][19][20][21] Jeremy Peeples of Hardcore Gamer found Chloe's behaviour "endearing" and noted that her personality was portrayed with multiple layers. Sam Loveridge at GamesRadar wrote that Rachel was the more authentic character on account of her more "grounded" dialogue. Despite disparaging Chloe for being "her same tiresomely combative self" early on, Metro saw her fleshed out by enduring the loss of her father. Game Informer's Kimberley Wallace thought the younger version of Chloe brought a "naivety and vulnerability" worthy of sympathy. Conversely, the relationship between Chloe and Rachel was said to have formed "at unnatural speed". Peeples and Loveridge favoured the "Backtalk" gameplay feature, while Metro and Wallace cared little for it. Otherwise lauded were the story, graphics, voice acting, and soundtrack.[22][23][24][25]

text: Awards[edit]

text: Following E3 2017, Life Is Strange: Before the Storm received one of GamesRadar's Best of E3 awards[26] and was nominated for Hardcore Gamer's Adventure Game award.[27]

text: Notes[edit]

text: Jump up ^ Additional work by Square Enix London Studios[1]

tag: ol


document_title: White House

question_text: what is the original color of the white house

text: White House

text: Early history

text: Following his April 1789 inauguration, President George Washington occupied two executive mansions in New York City: the Samuel Osgood House at 3 Cherry Street (April 1789 – February 1790), and the Alexander Macomb House at 39–41 Broadway (February–August 1790). In May 1790, New York began construction of Government House for his official residence, but he never occupied it. The national capital moved to Philadelphia in December 1790.

text: The July 1790 Residence Act named Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the temporary national capital for a 10-year period while the Federal City was under construction. The City of Philadelphia rented Robert Morris's city house at 190 High Street (now 524–30 Market Street) for Washington's presidential residence. The first president occupied the Market Street mansion from November 1790 to March 1797, and altered it in ways that may have influenced the design of the White House. As part of a futile effort to have Philadelphia named the permanent national capital, Pennsylvania built a much grander presidential mansion several blocks away, but Washington declined to occupy it.

text: President John Adams also occupied the Market Street mansion from March 1797 to May 1800. On Saturday,[5] November 1, 1800,[6] he became the first president to occupy the White House. The President's House in Philadelphia became a hotel and was demolished in 1832, while the unused presidential mansion became home to the University of Pennsylvania.

text:
First Presidential Mansion: Samuel Osgood House, Manhattan, New York. Occupied by Washington: April 1789 – February 1790.

Second Presidential Mansion: Alexander Macomb House, Manhattan, New York. Occupied by Washington: February–August 1790.

Third Presidential Mansion: President's House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Occupied by Washington: November 1790 – March 1797. Occupied by Adams: March 1797 – May 1800.

Government House, Manhattan, New York (1790–1791). Built to be the permanent presidential mansion, Congress moved the national capital to Philadelphia before its completion.

House intended for the President, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1790s). Built to be the permanent presidential mansion, neither Washington nor Adams would occupy it.

text: Architectural competition

text: The President's House was a major feature of Pierre (Peter) Charles L'Enfant's' plan for the newly established federal city, Washington, D.C. (see: L'Enfant Plan).[7][8] The architect of the White House was chosen in a design competition which received nine proposals, including one submitted anonymously by Thomas Jefferson.[9]

text: President Washington visited Charleston, South Carolina in May 1791 on his "Southern Tour", and saw the under-construction Charleston County Courthouse designed by Irish architect James Hoban. He is reputed to have met with Hoban then. The following year, he summoned the architect to Philadelphia and met with him in June 1792.[10]

text: On July 16, 1792, the President met with the commissioners of the federal city to make his judgment in the architectural competition. His review is recorded as being brief, and he quickly selected Hoban's submission.[11]

text: Washington was not entirely pleased with the original submission, however; he found it too small, lacking ornament, and not monumental enough to house the nation's president. On his recommendation, the house was changed from three stories to two, and was widened from a nine-bay facade to an 11-bay facade. Hoban's competition drawings do not survive.[citation needed]

text: Design influences

text: The building has classical inspiration sources, that could be found directly or indirectly in the Roman architect Vitruvius or in Andrea Palladio styles; Palladio being an Italian architect of the Renaissance which had a considerable influence on the Western architecture (Palladian architecture). The building Hoban designed is verifiably influenced by the upper floors of Leinster House, in Dublin, which later became the seat of the Oireachtas (the Irish parliament).[12] Several other Georgian-era Irish country houses have been suggested as sources of inspiration for the overall floor plan, details like the bow-fronted south front, and interior details like the former niches in the present Blue Room. These influences, though undocumented, are cited in the official White House guide, and in White House Historical Association publications. The first official White House guide, published in 1962, suggested a link between Hoban's design for the South Portico and Château de Rastignac, a neoclassical country house located in La Bachellerie in the Dordogne region of France and designed by Mathurin Salat. Construction on the French house was initially started before 1789, interrupted by the French Revolution for twenty years and then finally built 1812–1817 (based on Salat's pre-1789 design).[13] The theoretical link between the two houses has been criticized because Hoban did not visit France. Supporters of a connection posit that Thomas Jefferson, during his tour of Bordeaux in 1789, viewed Salat's architectural drawings (which were on-file at the College) at the École Spéciale d'Architecture (Bordeaux Architectural College).[14] On his return to the U.S. he then shared the influence with Washington, Hoban, Monroe, and Benjamin Henry Latrobe.[13]

text: Construction

text: Construction of the White House began with the laying of the cornerstone on October 13, 1792, although there was no formal ceremony.[15] The main residence, as well as foundations of the house, were built largely by enslaved and free African-American laborers, as well as employed Europeans.[16] Much of the other work on the house was performed by immigrants, many not yet with citizenship. The sandstone walls were erected by Scottish immigrants, employed by Hoban,[17] as were the high-relief rose and garland decorations above the north entrance and the "fish scale" pattern beneath the pediments of the window hoods. There are conflicting claims as to where the sandstone used in the construction of the White House originated. Some reports suggest sandstone from the Croatian island of Brač (specifically the Pučišća querry whose stone was used to build the ancient Roman palace of Emperor Diocletian) was used in the original construction of the building, contrarily researchers believe limestone from the island was used in the 1902 renovations and not the original construction. Others suggest the original sandstone simply came from Aquia Creek in Stafford County, Virginia, as importing the stone would be too costly.[18][19][20] The initial construction took place over a period of eight years, at a reported cost of $232,371.83 (equal to $3,350,711 today). Although not yet completed, the White House was ready for occupancy circa November 1, 1800.[21]

text: Shortages, including material and labor, forced alterations to the earlier plan developed by French engineer Pierre Charles L'Enfant for a "palace" that was five times larger than the house that was eventually built.[17] The finished structure contained only two main floors instead of the planned three, and a less costly brick served as a lining for the stone façades. When construction was finished, the porous sandstone walls were whitewashed with a mixture of lime, rice glue, casein, and lead, giving the house its familiar color and name.[17]

text: As it is a famed structure in America, several replicas of the White House have been constructed.

text: Architectural description

text: The north front is the principal façade of the White House and consists of three floors and eleven bays. The ground floor is hidden by a raised carriage ramp and parapet, thus the façade appears to be of two floors. The central three bays are behind a prostyle portico (this was a later addition to the house, built circa 1830) serving, thanks to the carriage ramp, as a porte cochere. The windows of the four bays flanking the portico, at first-floor level, have alternating pointed and segmented pediments, while at second-floor level the pediments are flat. The principal entrance at the center of the portico is surmounted by a lunette fanlight. Above the entrance is a sculpted floral festoon. The roofline is hidden by a balustraded parapet.

text: The mansion's southern façade is a combination of the Palladian and neoclassical styles of architecture. It is of three floors, all visible. The ground floor is rusticated in the Palladian fashion. At the center of the façade is a neoclassical projecting bow of three bays. The bow is flanked by five bays, the windows of which, as on the north façade, have alternating segmented and pointed pediments at first-floor level. The bow has a ground floor double staircase leading to an Ionic colonnaded loggia (with the Truman Balcony at second-floor level), known as the south portico. The more modern third floor is hidden by a balustraded parapet and plays no part in the composition of the façade.

text: Naming conventions

text: The building was originally variously referred to as the "President's Palace", "Presidential Mansion", or "President's House".[22] The earliest evidence of the public calling it the "White House" was recorded in 1811.[23] A myth emerged that during the rebuilding of the structure after the Burning of Washington, white paint was applied to mask the burn damage it had suffered,[24] giving the building its namesake hue.[25] The name "Executive Mansion" was used in official contexts until President Theodore Roosevelt established the formal name by having "White House–Washington" engraved on the stationery in 1901.[26][27] The current letterhead wording and arrangement "The White House" with the word "Washington" centered beneath goes back to the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt.[27]

text: Although the structure was not completed until some years after the presidency of George Washington, there is speculation that the name of the traditional residence of the President of the United States may have derived from Martha Washington's home, White House Plantation in Virginia, where the nation's first President had courted the First Lady in the mid-18th century.[28]

text: Evolution of the White House

text: Early use, the 1814 fire, and rebuilding

text: On Saturday, November 1, 1800, John Adams became the first president to take residence in the building.[17] During Adams' second day in the house, he wrote a letter to his wife Abigail, containing a prayer for the house. Adams wrote:

text: I pray Heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this House, and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof.[29]

text: Franklin D. Roosevelt had Adams's blessing carved into the mantel in the State Dining Room.[29]

text: Adams lived in the house only briefly before Thomas Jefferson moved into the "pleasant country residence"[30] in 1801. Despite his complaints that the house was too big ("big enough for two emperors, one pope, and the grand lama in the bargain"[31]), Jefferson considered how the White House might be added to. With Benjamin Henry Latrobe, he helped lay out the design for the East and West Colonnades, small wings that help conceal the domestic operations of laundry, a stable and storage.[17] Today, Jefferson's colonnades link the residence with the East and West Wings.[17]

text: In 1814, during the War of 1812, the White House was set ablaze by British troops[32] during the Burning of Washington, in retaliation for burning Upper Canada's Parliament Buildings in the Battle of York; much of Washington was affected by these fires as well. Only the exterior walls remained, and they had to be torn down and mostly reconstructed because of weakening from the fire and subsequent exposure to the elements, except for portions of the south wall. Of the numerous objects taken from the White House when it was ransacked by British troops, only two have been recovered. Employees and slaves rescued a painting of George Washington,[32] and in 1939, a Canadian man returned a jewelry box to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, claiming that his grandfather had taken it from Washington. Some observers allege that most of these spoils were lost when a convoy of British ships led by HMS Fantome sank en route to Halifax off Prospect during a storm on the night of November 24, 1814,[33][34] even though Fantome had no involvement in that action.[35]

text: After the fire, President James Madison resided in The Octagon House from 1814 to 1815, and then the Seven Buildings from 1815 to the end of his term.[36] Meanwhile, both architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe and Hoban contributed to the design and oversight of the reconstruction, which lasted from 1815 until 1817. The south portico was constructed in 1824 during the James Monroe administration; the north portico was built six years later.[17] Though Latrobe proposed similar porticos before the fire in 1814, both porticos were built as designed by Hoban.[37] An elliptical portico at Château de Rastignac in La Bachellerie, France with nearly identical curved stairs is speculated as the source of inspiration due to its similarity with the South Portico,[38] although this matter is one of great debate.[39] Italian artisans, brought to Washington to help in constructing the U.S. Capitol, carved the decorative stonework on both porticos. Contrary to speculation, the North Portico was not modeled on a similar portico on another Dublin building, the Viceregal Lodge (now Áras an Uachtaráin, residence of the President of Ireland), for its portico postdates the White House porticos' design.[38] For the North Portico, a variation on the Ionic Order was devised incorporating a swag of roses between the volutes. This was done to link the new portico with the earlier carved roses above the entrance.

text:
The White House as it looked following the conflagration of August 24, 1814

Jefferson and Latrobe's West Wing Colonnade, in this nineteenth-century engraved view, is now the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room.

Principal story plan for the white house by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 1807.

Earliest known photograph of the White House, taken c. 1846 by John Plumbe during the administration of James K. Polk.

text: Overcrowding and building the West Wing

text: By the time of the American Civil War, the White House had become overcrowded. The location of the White House was questioned, just north of a canal and swampy lands, which provided conditions ripe for malaria and other unhealthy conditions.[40] Brigadier General Nathaniel Michler was tasked to propose solutions to address these concerns. He proposed abandoning the use of the White House as a residence and designed a new estate for the first family at Meridian Hill in Washington, D.C., but Congress rejected the plan.[40]

text: When Chester Arthur took office in 1881, he ordered renovations to the White House to take place as soon as the recently widowed Lucretia Garfield moved out. Arthur inspected the work almost nightly and made several suggestions. Louis Comfort Tiffany was asked to send selected designers to assist. Over twenty wagonloads of furniture and household items were removed from the building and sold at a public auction.[41] All that was saved were bust portraits of John Adams and Martin Van Buren.[42] A proposal was made to build a new residence south of the White House, but it failed to gain support.

text: In the fall of 1882 work was done on the main corridor, including tinting the walls pale olive and adding squares of gold leaf, and decorating the ceiling in gold and silver, and colorful traceries woven to spell "USA". The Red Room was painted a dull Pomeranian red, and its ceiling was decorated with gold, silver, and copper stars and stripes of red, white, and blue. A fifty-foot jeweled Tiffany glass screen, supported by imitation marble columns, replaced the glass doors that separated the main corridor from the north vestibule.[43][44]

text: In 1891, First Lady Caroline Harrison proposed major extensions to the White House, including a National Wing on the east for a historical art gallery, and a wing on the west for official functions.[40] A plan was devised by Colonel Theodore A. Bingham, which reflected the Harrison proposal.[40] These plans were ultimately rejected.

text: However, in 1902 Theodore Roosevelt hired McKim, Mead & White to carry out expansions and renovations in a neoclassical style suited to the building's architecture, removing the Tiffany screen and all Victorian additions.[45][46] Charles McKim himself designed and managed the project, which gave more living space to the President's large family by removing a staircase in the West Hall and moving executive office staff from the second floor of the residence into the new West Wing.[17]

text: President William Howard Taft enlisted the help of architect Nathan C. Wyeth to add additional space to the West Wing, which included the addition of the Oval Office.[40] In 1925, Congress enacted legislation allowing the White House to accept gifts of furniture and art for the first time.[47] The West Wing was damaged by fire in 1929, but rebuilt during the remaining years of the Herbert Hoover presidency. In the 1930s, a second story was added, as well as a larger basement for White House staff, and President Franklin Roosevelt had the Oval Office moved to its present location: adjacent to the Rose Garden.[17]

text: Truman reconstruction

text: Decades of poor maintenance, the construction of a fourth story attic during the Coolidge administration, and the addition of a second-floor balcony over the south portico for Harry S. Truman[48] took a great toll on the brick and sandstone structure built around a timber frame.[17] By 1948, the house was declared to be in imminent danger of collapse, forcing President Truman to commission a reconstruction and to live across the street at Blair House from 1949 to 1951.[49] The work, done by the firm of Philadelphia contractor John McShain, required the complete dismantling of the interior spaces, construction of a new load-bearing internal steel frame and the reconstruction of the original rooms within the new structure.[48] The total cost of the renovations was about $5.7 million (US$54 million in 2018).[50] Some modifications to the floor plan were made, the largest being the repositioning of the grand staircase to open into the Entrance Hall, rather than the Cross Hall.[48] Central air conditioning was added, as well as two additional sub-basements providing space for workrooms, storage, and a bomb shelter.[17] The Trumans moved back into the White House on March 27, 1952.[17] While the house's structure was kept intact by the Truman reconstruction, much of the new interior finishes were generic, and of little historic value. Much of the original plasterwork, some dating back to the 1814–1816 rebuilding, was too damaged to reinstall, as was the original robust Beaux Arts paneling in the East Room. President Truman had the original timber frame sawed into paneling; the walls of the Vermeil Room, Library, China Room, and Map Room on the ground floor of the main residence were paneled in wood from the timbers.[51]

text: Jacqueline Kennedy restoration

text: Jacqueline Kennedy, wife of President John F. Kennedy (1961–63), directed a very extensive and historic redecoration of the house. She enlisted the help of Henry Francis du Pont of the Winterthur Museum to assist in collecting artifacts for the mansion, many of which had once been housed there.[52] Other antiques, fine paintings, and improvements of the Kennedy period were donated to the White House by wealthy philanthropists, including the Crowninshield family, Jane Engelhard, Jayne Wrightsman, and the Oppenheimer family. Stéphane Boudin of the House of Jansen, a Paris interior-design firm that had been recognized worldwide, was employed by Mrs. Kennedy to assist with the decoration.[52] Different periods of the early republic and world history were selected as a theme for each room: the Federal style for the Green Room, French Empire for the Blue Room, American Empire for the Red Room, Louis XVI for the Yellow Oval Room, and Victorian for the president's study, renamed the Treaty Room. Antique furniture was acquired, and decorative fabric and trim based on period documents was produced and installed. The Kennedy restoration resulted in a more authentic White House of grander stature, which recalled the French taste of Madison and Monroe.[52] In the Diplomatic Reception Room, Mrs. Kennedy installed an antique "Vue de l'Amérique Nord" wallpaper which Zuber & Cie had designed in 1834. The wallpaper had hung previously on the walls of another mansion until 1961 when that house was demolished for a grocery store. Just before the demolition, the wallpaper was salvaged and sold to the White House.

text: The first White House guidebook was produced under the direction of curator Lorraine Waxman Pearce with direct supervision from Mrs. Kennedy.[53] Sale of the guidebook helped finance the restoration.

text: Kennedy showed her restoration of the White House to the public in a televised tour of the house on Valentine's Day in 1962.[54]

text: The White House since the Kennedy restoration

text: Congress enacted legislation in September 1961 declaring the White House a museum. Furniture, fixtures, and decorative arts could now be declared either historic or of artistic interest by the President. This prevented them from being sold (as many objects in the executive mansion had been in the past 150 years). When not in use or display at the White House, these items were to be turned over to the Smithsonian Institution for preservation, study, storage, or exhibition. The White House retains the right to have these items returned.[55]

text: Out of respect for the historic character of the White House, no substantive architectural changes have been made to the house since the Truman renovation.[56] Since the Kennedy restoration, every presidential family has made some changes to the private quarters of the White House, but the Committee for the Preservation of the White House must approve any modifications to the State Rooms. Charged with maintaining the historical integrity of the White House, the congressionally authorized committee works with each First Family—usually represented by the First Lady, the White House Curator, and the Chief Usher—to implement the family's proposals for altering the house.[57]

text: During the Nixon administration (1969–74), First Lady Pat Nixon refurbished the Green Room, Blue Room, and Red Room, working with Clement Conger, the curator appointed by President Richard Nixon.[58] Mrs. Nixon's efforts brought more than 600 artifacts to the house, the largest acquisition by any administration.[59] Her husband created the modern press briefing room over Franklin Roosevelt's old swimming pool.[60] Nixon also added a single-lane bowling alley to the White House basement.[61]

text: Computers and the first laser printer were added during the Carter administration, and the use of computer technology was expanded during the Reagan administration.[62] A Carter-era innovation, a set of solar water heating panels that were mounted on the roof of the White House, was removed during Reagan's presidency.[63][64] Redecorations were made to the private family quarters and maintenance was made to public areas during the Reagan years.[65] The house was accredited as a museum in 1988.[65]

text: In the 1990s, Bill and Hillary Clinton refurbished some rooms with the assistance of Arkansas decorator Kaki Hockersmith, including the Oval Office, the East Room, Blue Room, State Dining Room, Lincoln Bedroom, and Lincoln Sitting Room.[66] During the administration of George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush refurbished the Lincoln Bedroom in a style contemporary with the Lincoln era; the Green Room, Cabinet Room, and theater were also refurbished.[66]

text: The White House became one of the first wheelchair-accessible government buildings in Washington when modifications were made during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who used a wheelchair because of his paralytic illness. In the 1990s, Hillary Clinton, at the suggestion of Visitors Office Director Melinda N. Bates, approved the addition of a ramp in the East Wing corridor. It allowed easy wheelchair access for the public tours and special events that enter through the secure entrance building on the east side.

text: In 2003, the Bush administration reinstalled solar thermal heaters.[64] These units are used to heat water for landscape maintenance personnel and for the presidential pool and spa. 167 solar photovoltaic grid tied panels were installed at the same time on the roof of the maintenance facility. The changes were not publicized as a White House spokeswoman said the changes were an internal matter. The story was picked up by industry trade journals.[67] In 2013, President Barack Obama had a set of solar panels installed on the roof of the White House, making it the first time solar power would be used for the president's living quarters.[68][69]

text: The president usually travels to and from the White House grounds via official motorcade or helicopter. The journey by helicopter was inaugurated in the 1950s, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower began traveling on Marine One to and from his official residence.[70]

text: Layout and amenities

text: Today the group of buildings housing the presidency is known as the White House Complex. It includes the central Executive Residence flanked by the East Wing and West Wing. The Chief Usher coordinates day to day household operations. The White House includes: six stories and 55,000 ft2 (5,100 m2) of floor space, 132 rooms and 35 bathrooms, 412 doors, 147 windows, twenty-eight fireplaces, eight staircases, three elevators, five full-time chefs, a tennis court, a (single-lane) bowling alley, a movie theater (officially called the White House Family Theater[71]), a jogging track, a swimming pool, and a putting green.[27] It receives up to 30,000 visitors each week.[72]

text: Executive Residence

text: The original residence is in the center. Two colonnades—one on the east and one on the west—designed by Jefferson, now serve to connect the East and West Wings, added later. The Executive Residence houses the president's dwelling, as well as rooms for ceremonies and official entertaining. The State Floor of the residence building includes the East Room, Green Room, Blue Room, Red Room, State Dining Room, Family Dining Room, Cross Hall, Entrance Hall, and Grand Staircase.[73] The Ground Floor is made up of the Diplomatic Reception Room, Map Room, China Room, Vermeil Room, Library, the main kitchen, and other offices.[74] The second floor family residence includes the Yellow Oval Room, East and West Sitting Halls, the White House Master Bedroom, President's Dining Room, the Treaty Room, Lincoln Bedroom and Queens' Bedroom, as well as two additional bedrooms, a smaller kitchen, and a private dressing room.[75] The third floor consists of the White House Solarium, Game Room, Linen Room, a Diet Kitchen, and another sitting room (previously used as President George W. Bush's workout room).[76]

text: West Wing

text: The West Wing houses the President's office (the Oval Office) and offices of his senior staff, with room for about 50 employees. It also includes the Cabinet Room, where the president conducts business meetings and where the Cabinet meets,[77] as well as the White House Situation Room, James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, and Roosevelt Room.[78] In 2007, work was completed on renovations of the press briefing room, adding fiber optic cables and LCD screens for the display of charts and graphs.[79] The makeover took 11 months and cost of $8 million, out of which news outlets paid $2 million.[79] In September 2010, a two-year project began on the West Wing, creating a multistory underground structure;[80] this will be followed with additional renovation of the wing.[81]

text: The Oval Office, Roosevelt Room, and other portions of the West Wing were partially replicated on a sound stage and used as the setting for the popular television show The West Wing.[82]

text: East Wing

text: The East Wing, which contains additional office space, was added to the White House in 1942. Among its uses, the East Wing has intermittently housed the offices and staff of the First Lady, and the White House Social Office. Rosalynn Carter, in 1977, was the first to place her personal office in the East Wing and to formally call it the "Office of the First Lady". The East Wing was built during World War II in order to hide the construction of an underground bunker to be used in emergencies. The bunker has come to be known as the Presidential Emergency Operations Center.

text: Grounds

text: The White House and grounds cover just over 18 acres (about 7.3 hectares). Before the construction of the North Portico, most public events were entered from the South Lawn, which was graded and planted by Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson also drafted a planting plan for the North Lawn that included large trees that would have mostly obscured the house from Pennsylvania Avenue. During the mid-to-late 19th century a series of ever larger greenhouses were built on the west side of the house, where the current West Wing is located. During this period, the North Lawn was planted with ornate carpet-style flowerbeds. The general layout of the White House grounds today is based on the 1935 design by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. of the Olmsted Brothers firm, commissioned by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. During the Kennedy administration, the White House Rose Garden was redesigned by Rachel Lambert Mellon. The Rose Garden borders the West Colonnade. Bordering the East Colonnade is the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, which was begun by Jacqueline Kennedy but completed after her husband's assassination. On the weekend of June 23, 2006, a century-old American Elm (Ulmus americana L.) tree on the north side of the building, came down during one of the many storms amid intense flooding. Among the oldest trees on the grounds are several magnolias (Magnolia grandiflora) planted by Andrew Jackson, including the Jackson Magnolia, reportedly grown from a sprout taken from the favorite tree of Jackson's recently deceased wife, the sprout planted after Jackson moved into the White House. The tree stood for over 200 years; but in 2017, having become too weak to stand on its own, it was decided it should be removed and replaced with one of its offspring.[83][84] Michelle Obama planted the White House's first organic garden and installed beehives on the South Lawn of the White House, which will supply organic produce and honey to the First Family and for state dinners and other official gatherings.[85]

text:
The Cross Hall, connecting the State Dining Room and the East Room on the State Floor

Marine One prepares for landing on the South Lawn where State Arrival Ceremonies for visiting heads of state take place.

The White House and surrounding grounds

The White House with fountain and grounds

White House from the north

text: Public access and security

text: Historical accessibility

text: Like the English and Irish country houses it was modeled on, the White House was, from the start, open to the public until the early part of the 20th century. President Thomas Jefferson held an open house for his second inaugural in 1805, and many of the people at his swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol followed him home, where he greeted them in the Blue Room. Those open houses sometimes became rowdy: in 1829, President Andrew Jackson had to leave for a hotel when roughly 20,000 citizens celebrated his inauguration inside the White House. His aides ultimately had to lure the mob outside with washtubs filled with a potent cocktail of orange juice and whiskey. Even so, the practice continued until 1885, when newly elected Grover Cleveland arranged for a presidential review of the troops from a grandstand in front of the White House instead of the traditional open house. Jefferson also permitted public tours of his house, which have continued ever since, except during wartime, and began the tradition of annual receptions on New Year's Day and on the Fourth of July. Those receptions ended in the early 1930s, although President Bill Clinton briefly revived the New Year's Day open house in his first term.

text: The White House remained accessible in other ways; President Abraham Lincoln complained that he was constantly beleaguered by job seekers waiting to ask him for political appointments or other favors, or eccentric dispensers of advice like "General" Daniel Pratt, as he began the business day. Lincoln put up with the annoyance rather than risk alienating some associate or friend of a powerful politician or opinion maker.[citation needed]

text: Aviation incidents

text: This section needs to be updated. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (April 2015)

text: In February 1974, a stolen army helicopter landed without authorization on the White House's grounds.[86] Twenty years later, in 1994, a light plane flown by Frank Eugene Corder crashed on the White House grounds, and he died instantly.[87]

text: As a result of increased security regarding air traffic in the capital, the White House was evacuated in May 2005 before an unauthorized aircraft could approach the grounds.[88]

text: Closure of Pennsylvania Avenue

text: On May 20, 1995, primarily as a response to the Oklahoma City bombing of April 19, 1995, the United States Secret Service closed off Pennsylvania Avenue to vehicular traffic in front of the White House from the eastern edge of Lafayette Park to 17th Street. Later, the closure was extended an additional block to the east to 15th Street, and East Executive Avenue, a small street between the White House and the Treasury Building.

text: After September 11, 2001, this was made permanent in addition to closing E Street between the South Portico of the White House and the Ellipse.[89] In response to the Boston Marathon bombing the road was closed to the public in its entirety for a period of two days.

text: The Pennsylvania Avenue closing has been opposed by organized civic groups in Washington, D.C. They argue that the closing impedes traffic flow unnecessarily and is inconsistent with the well-conceived historic plan for the city. As for security considerations, they note that the White House is set much farther back from the street than numerous other sensitive federal buildings are.[90]

text: Prior to its inclusion within the fenced compound that now includes the Old Executive Office Building to the west and the Treasury Building to the east, this sidewalk served as a queuing area for the daily public tours of the White House. These tours were suspended in the wake of the September 11 attacks. In September 2003, they resumed on a limited basis for groups making prior arrangements through their Congressional representatives or embassies in Washington for foreign nationals and submitting to background checks, but the White House remained closed to the public.[91] White House tours were suspended for most of 2013 due to budget constraints after sequestration.[92] The White House reopened to the public in November 2013.[93]

text: Protection

text: The White House Complex is protected by the United States Secret Service and the United States Park Police.

text: NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System) were used to guard air space over Washington, D.C. during the 2005 presidential inauguration. The same NASAMS units have since been used to protect the president and all air space around the White House, which is strictly prohibited to aircraft.[94][95]

text:
For security reasons, the section of Pennsylvania Avenue on the north side of the White House is closed to all vehicular traffic, except government officials.

White House at night

North front of the White House on the reverse (back) of the U.S. $20 bill.