Today&#;s post comes from Emily Rollman, summer intern in the Office of Public and Media Communications.
Hot dogs have been a staple of American cuisine since they were first introduced by German immigrants in the 19th century. Now the dish is synonymous with cookouts and baseball games—but the humble hot dog has also made appearances on military bases, aboard the Space Shuttle, and at the White House. Indeed, Nelson Rockefeller once said, &#;No candidate for any office can hope to get elected in this country without being photographed eating a hot dog.&#;
Over the years, many Presidents have enjoyed hot dogs on the campaign trail and at July 4th celebrations, but the dish has also been instrumental in American foreign affairs events.
The most famous Presidential hot dog moment was when FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt invited King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to their Hyde Park home on June 11, , for an informal picnic. The menu included American fare, like strawberry shortcake and hot dogs. The queen supposedly asked Roosevelt how one ate a hot dog. “Very simple. Push it into your mouth and keep pushing it until it is all gone,” he allegedly responded. The casual hot do
A Brief History
On June 11, , a picnic at which hot dogs were served helped re-establish the political closeness between the United States and Great Britain and introduced the traditionally American food to an international public.
Digging Deeper
With the threat of war and invasion looming, the British monarch, George VI of “The King’s Speech” fame and his wife, Queen Elizabeth, later known as the Queen Mother, or affectionately as Queen Mum, embarked on a tour to visit their dominion of Canada, the first time a reigning British monarch had visited the North American continent.
Upon hearing of the intended trip, American President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, extended an invitation to the royal couple to stop by at his private residence in Hyde Park, New York. His goal was to soften relations between the two countries which had often been tense since the Revolutionary War when the American colonies had declared independence from Great Britain. With Europe on the brink of war, FDR, not one to continue the American policy of isolationism, realized he needed to forge alliances with the leading European democracies. And so, wishing to dispel anti-British sentiment, he decided
The Royal 'Hot Dog' Picnic
On June 11, , King George VI and Queen Elizabeth attended a picnic at the Hyde Park residence of US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The occasion would be best remembered for 'introducing' the British Royals to the Hot Dog, a memory immortalized by the following day's New York Times headline which read "KING TRIES HOTDOG AND ASKS FOR MORE". But behind the festivities of the day, that famous American Royal Picnic would turn out to be an essential moment in the Special Relationship, one which was key in the years to follow as the Second World War developed.
King George VI had only recently ascended to the British throne in , after the abdication of his brother, Edward VIII. The Royal couple were to travel to Canada in and when FDR was made aware of the plans he wrote a letter, dated September 17, , inviting the Royals to visit the USA. Delivered by Joseph Kennedy, then US Ambassador to the UK, it said "I think it would be an excellent thing for Anglo-American relations if you could visit the United States". The meeting would be especially i
The British Royal Visit
Hyde Park, New York
After two days in Washington, the tone of the royal couple's visit transformed from formal to informal as they accompanied the Roosevelts to their home in Hyde Park, New York. The King and Queen's stay in Hyde Park illustrated to the American people that although they were Royalty, they also enjoyed the simpler things in life. In contrast to the formal State Dinner at the White House, dinner at the Roosevelt's Home "Springwood" was described to the press as a casual dinner between the two families; their evening entertainment was simple conversation, unfettered by formalities.
Even more relaxing and informal was the following day's event - a picnic. FDR brought the couple to his new hilltop retreat, Top Cottage, on the eastern portion of his estate for an old-fashioned, American-style picnic. Much to the horror of FDR's mother Sara Roosevelt, the King and Queen of England were served hot dogs on the front porch of the cottage. Although the press made a great deal about the hot dogs (the picnic made the front page of the New York Times), the menu also included more delicate fare fit for a King and Queen.
The royal couple delighted
Biographies you may also like
Sachin tendulkar biography cricketer photo Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is an Indian former international cricketer who captained the Indian national team. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, and is the holder of several world records, including being the all-time highest run-scorer in both ODI and Test cricket, receiving the most player See more.
Renae berry photos bridgewater 90 Followers, Following, 17 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Renae Rainwater (@renae_rainwater)Missing: renae berry.
I nyoman masriadi biography for kids Nyoman Masriadi is an Indonesian Asian Modern & Contemporary painter. Numerous key galleries and museums such as Tsinghua University Art Museum have featured Nyoman .
I nyoman masriadi biography for kids I Nyoman Masriadi has been hailed as a leading figurative painter in contemporary art by art historians, critics and collectors alike. Born in Gianyar, Bali, Masriadi studied painting at the .
Sachin tendulkar biography cricketer photo Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is an Indian former international cricketer who captained the Indian national team. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, and is the holder of several world records, including being the all-time highest run-scorer in both ODI and Test cricket, receiving the most player See more.
Alejo carpentier biography templates Alejo Carpentier y Valmont was a Cuban novelist, essayist, and musicologist who greatly influenced Latin American literature during its famous "boom" period. Born in Lausanne, .