****
Ahead of Thursday’s State Dinner at the White House for VC’s fella, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a trip down State Dinner memory lane…..
****
November 24, 2009 – India: Manmohan Singh
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama await the arrival of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India and his wife, Mrs Gursharan Kaur, for the State Dinner at the White House, Nov. 24, 2009 (Photo by Pete Souza)
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcomes Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Ms Gursharan Kaur for a State Dinner
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton chats with President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama prior to the state dinner for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India and his wife, Mrs Gursharan Kaur (Photo by Pete Souza)
First Lady Michelle Obama claps during the entertainment portion of the State Dinner for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India, left, and his wife, Mrs. Gursharan Kaur, held in a tent on the South Lawn of the White House (Photo by Pete Souza)
The President and First Lady wait for Indian Prime Minister Singh’s motorcade to depart the White House at the conclusion of the first official state dinner for the Obama administration (Photo by Pete Souza)
****
May 19, 2010 – Mexico: Felipe Calderon
President Obama adjusts his tie in the Yellow Oval Room of the White House, following a private reception in honor of President Felipe Calderón of Mexico and his wife, Mrs. Margarita Zavala, May 19, 2010 (Photo by Pete Souza)
President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, President Felipe Calderón of Mexico, and his wife, Mrs. Margarita Zavala, ride a trolley to a tent on the South Lawn of the White House, for the State Dinner reception, May 19, 2010 (Photo by Pete Souza)
Dr. Jill Biden listens to music during the State Dinner reception in a tent on the South Lawn of the White House, May 19, 2010. Seated at the table with Dr. Biden is Vice President Joe Biden’s National Security Advisor Tony Blinken (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama dance to music performed by the United States Marine Band, during the State Dinner reception in a tent on the South Lawn of the White House, May 19, 2010 (Photo by Pete Souza)
****
January 19, 2011 – China: Hu Jintao
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pause in the Grand Foyer of the White House as they prepare to welcome President Hu Jintao of China for the State Dinner, Jan. 19, 2011 (Photo by Pete Souza)
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcome President Hu Jintao of China at the North Portico of the White House for the State Dinner, Jan. 19, 2011 (Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama watch as President Hu Jintao of China greets daughters Sasha and Malia before the start of the State Dinner reception in the East Room of the White House, Jan. 19, 2011. Marian Robinson is pictured at right (Photo by Pete Souza)
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama say goodbye to President Hu Jintao of China in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House, Jan. 19, 2011 )Photo by Pete Souza)
****
June 7, 2011 – Germany: Angela Merkel
Joachim Sauer, husband of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Michelle Obama, Chancellor Merkel and President Obama
****
October 13, 2011 – South Korea: Lee Myung-bak
****
March 14, 2012 – United Kingdom: David Cameron
President Obama listens as Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom offers a toast during the State Dinner on the South Lawn of the White House, March 14, 2012. Samantha Cameron is seated at right (Photo by Pete Souza)
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama visit with Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom and Samantha Cameron during a State Dinner reception on the Truman Balcony of the White House, March 14, 2012 (Photo by Pete Souza)
****
February 11, 2014 – France: François Hollande
First Lady Michelle Obama and President Obama welcome French President François Hollande for a State Dinner at the North Portico of the White House
President Obama helps First Lady Michelle Obama off the stage after thanking the White House chefs during the State Dinner for President François Hollande of France on the South Lawn of the White House, Feb. 11, 2014 (Photo by Pete Souza)
Singer Mary J. Blige performs during the State Dinner for President François Hollande of France inside a tent on the South Lawn of the White House (Photo by Pete Souza)
****
April 28, 2015 – Japan: Shinzō Abe
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wait for the arrival of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wile Akie Abe at the North Portico of the White House
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, First Lady Akie Abe, Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden, applaud the cast of “Jersey Boys” during the State Dinner performance in the State Dining Room of the White House (Photo by Pete Souza)
President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan and First Lady Akie Abe join the cast of “Jersey Boys” on stage after their State Dinner performance in the State Dining Room of the White House (Photo by Pete Souza)
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama celebrate with outgoing Social Secretary Jeremy Bernard and incoming Social Secretary Deesha Dyer in the Ground Floor Corridor following the State Dinner at the White House (Photo by Pete Souza)
****
September 25, 2015 – China: Xi Jinping
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan as they arrive for a State Dinner at the White House
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The Obama Diary 
Beautiful couple.
COS!
Photos for coffee table book.
The actor Tzi Ma resembles the Chinese President. The actor played Dylan’s father (Akeelah & the Bee).
I see the resemblance. He might be a good choice when they cast the next Obama movie. 😀
Everytime i saw the Chinese President he reminded me of an actor but couldn’t place it until now. Yes, if they make a movie about PBO and do a scene from the state dinner, Mr. Ma should be cast.
Miz Chips, Thank you for this post. Simply STUNNING!! This was me just now as I scrolled through, ooh, that’s my favorite, oh that dress! oh my gawd, that’s my favorite, I don’t think I even saw the dress she wore when Chancellor Merkel was hosted until this post tonight oh my gawd!! Oh that Vera Wang dress, dayum!
There’s no way to pick a favorite and why should we Our FLOTUS SLAYED every. dang. time. and made us proud every. dang. time. I REFUSE to think about state dinners after 01/20/17. Nope, not gonna do it. I’m just going to stay on this post ’til the end of time.
WTG, COS!
Yay!
😍😍😍
OMG, thank you so much for this retrospective. So many great memories of elegant state dinners! XOXO
FLOTUS has spoil us. I am looking forward to tomorrow evening.
great review down memory lane. thank you very much
OMGoooooooodnesss…i love this …i love this….
hard to chose my favorite…but it must be last year’s state dinner…FLOTUS BROKE THE TWITTER………HA!!!
can’t wait to see FLOTUS this year…smilin
What a beautiful couple – and family – inside as well as out!
This Canadian is giddy with excitement over my Prime Minister’s visit with your President! 😀
In case I come across any lovely photos to share that haven’t already been shared by the expert internet sleuths here at TOD, how do I insert a photo in my comment? Or, for a link, do I simply insert the URL, no tags necessary?
You can only post photos if you use twitter or a 3rd party photo hosting site (upload photos there, then post link to that photo here).
Thanks, meta. I have a bit of personal webspace, so I’ve uploaded a photo there just as test. I have a twitter account but don’t use it much. I might have to, rather than use up too much bandwidth. Let’s see if this works? 🙂
Yes! Thanks, meta!
Cool, you did it!
Cute!
Beautiful family.
Great pic! Thanks keltuc 🙂
I thought I was in the know about “all-things-Obama” but I seemed to have missed the fact that they had unveiled their selection of WH state dinner china.
I know administrations do this but I missed the announcement until I saw here the photos of their set that will be used in the CAN state dinner … learning new things on TOD everyday
Must see!
thanks a lot Meta! I enjoyed the videos very much
POTUS and FLOTUS see it for the first time:
Close-ups of the entire service here:
View at Medium.com
‘for VC’s fella’ …:D 😀 😀
You are soooOOOooo funny, BTF!
And I’m working tomorrow, so I’ll miss the ‘live’ daily portion of the fanfare!
OMG, you’re working while your fella is hangin’ out at the White House???? Have you never heard of ringing in sick?????
We-ell, it’s a choice between missing the ‘live’ daily events featuring The Os & The Ts, and earning the $$ for the June WH trip where I may actually see The Os (really) live. No contest, BTF! 😀
*chuckle-chuckle*
Stop it! I’ll only miss the luncheon-type-presser-type stuff! 😀 😀 If you keep banging *your* head you’ll likely miss more than I will.
For my on-call work, no work = no $$$. 🙂
😆
a-hem …… on sane people.
WOT? You’re going to experience all this greatness on replay? Sad!
Not to worry Meta, I’ll be home to see the State Dinner ‘live’ – at least the portion of it that will be on display! 😀 I’m working 7:30am to 3:00pm and will be home way before 3:30, in time to get ready myself …….barring an unexpected delay.
Oh, good. I think that’s probably when they start showing the arrivals. Woooot!!
🙂 🙂 You can bet I’ll let you know I’ve arrived once I’m attired in my
Canadianvc designer outfit and done my face ….not.Nothing but the highest class – none will ever achieve this level of grace in the WH again ❤️🌹❤️🌹❤️🌹❤️
I think I said that down the post – now I read your post – agree and agree MP
Oh, man:) She makes every gown look great! Her beauty shines through:)
Chips – You are “spoiling” us with all this beauty from the state dinners. Just the way we like it!
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Oh Chips you’ve out done yourself, this is so beautiful, thank you 🙂 🙂
{{sherijr}} 💘
(((((((Chips)))))) for you 🙂
Wow, What a KnockOut Post!
Thanks, Chips. Excellent Post!
Good Evening TOD.
Congrats,COS & Dudette for Your Twin Golden ⭐ ⭐
Dudette, Congrats for Ag ⭐ as well 😉
Reminds me of Romney overreach. LOLz.
Oh holy heck, that’s exactly what I was thinking – remember his, um, crowd in Detroit?
Yeah, I do! aaaaHHHHahaaaahahahaaaaaa!!
I was about to share the same memory but noticed you and Meta got there before me. TOD regulars are a scary bunch! 😀 😀 Repub *leaders* OTH, seemed destined to repeat the same errors – nothing creative about any of their top people.
😆 We all seriously need to get out more!!!!
I like hanging out with the Obamas!
😀 Hey, speak for yourself – I’m going to a State Dinner tomorrow evening/night.
Ah, an angel I see. Good strategy.
😀 😀 /whisper – just a gentle pictorial reminder of the difference between unowho1 and *I*, Meta/
Like I said, good strategy!!
🙂
Fame is fleeting!
And I hope the congress one is approaching -100
Oh, I love that congressional approval level, LH. Our president soars like an eagle, while the obstructionist do-nothings sink like a stone.
Thank you for this beautiful post, Chips!
The First Lady’s French State Dinner dress is still my fave. And I love that pic with Stephen Colbert next to her listening to Mary J. Blige. I appreciate how he always addresses the President as “Sir” and the First Lady as “ma’am” Even when he made a joke once about some little gaffe FLOTUS made, he looked at the camera sheepishly and said, “I’m sorry ma’am! You know I love you.”
Love the place settings for tomorrow night, and the menu looks yummy (except for the lamb 😦 Yes, I know it’s supposed to be delicious, but it’s just a personal preference of mine that I’d rather eat grown-up animals).
I also love how PBO looks at FLOTUS when she’s dressed up. So nice that they’re actually in love.
ooops… sorry, dint know this is a gurls party.
Aaaw, come on in – you know you like being surrounded by the ladies!
well, naturally
wg/smhbtw – be sure to give an extra ‘congrats’ to your 2nd place star student! He won’t know it’s from me but you and I will. 😉
Thanks. We are proud and lucky to have such gifted students.
easy for you to say.
Just stopped in quick but here is a little respite of cuteness and humor for my fellow feline-appreciating TODers >^..^<
That there blue dress from the Mexico dinner – seriously to die for – how can anyone look so gorgeous & have matching inteligence, compassion & love – I’ll never see another like this couple.
👋🏻🌹❤️🖖🏻
Had to go out Missed your comment MightyP – blessings
I ❤ ❤ ❤ the 2010 United Kingdom and the 2015 'China' Dresses! I like the back look of the 2009 India.
Should be an amazingly wonderful State Dinner:)
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-prime-minister-trudeau/
Thank you, df. Very interesting guy. Oh, and Lara Logan is a jerk.
I think he is, too…I bet that the Obama’s and the Trudeau’s will have a wonderful time and develop a deep friendship….
Yes, that was what I was thinking throughout.
One word. WOW!!
Each photo is more stunning than the last. However I am being distracted by a very persistent ladybug who insists on climbing on my hand. I will have to check back when have settled our disagreement about her place in the world.
GM Maryl1.
How cool is that? Were you outside on your patio when distracted by ladybug? If so, must be balmy for this time of year in Michigan.
I so understand your frustration about HRC and Michigan this week, mostly because Berniebots are such holier-than-thou jerks… smug and condescending, which solves no one’s problems.
During 2008 Dem primary, I was pretty much glued to the Internet and cable TV anguishing over the heated race. I so wanted Barack Obama as the nominee, he was so inspiring — and concerned about HRC in the WH with Bill rattling around in the WH with nothing to do except to cause mischief.
The foundation laid by President Obama has allayed my fears about WJC in the WH (that, and consider the alternatives for the WH this year). HRC will have a clear mandate from the American people and WJC will know this as well in 2017 and beyond. There was so much turmoil in 2008-09, so many priorities demanding immediate attention that Bill’s influence could have been distracting to Hillary and others in the WH.
Posted this yesterday morning, but here’s a stark reminder of why Obots were so concerned about 2008 Dem primaries — HRC swept all the most populous states, including Michigan (and my state of California) 😦
That is a good reminder, arapaho! Part of what makes me feel differently about Hillary Clinton this year is the distance in time from Bill Clinton’s presidency. We’d had 8 years of Bush and then 8 years of Clinton, and another Clinton presidency made it seem like we’d be trading back and forth between two’royal families’. And I, too, didn’t want Bill Clinton back in the White House. Eight years later and after the ground-breaking presidency of Barack Obama, I no longer have that feeling, and I can also see Hillary Clinton for who she herself is, rather than part of a duo. I’ve noticed that as the campaign goes on I see fewer and fewer remarks like “The Clintons would be a twofer” and “Get Bill back in the White House”-almost as though they were really voting for him-and more focus on the person she is.
Thanks, maryl1!
Yep, onboard the #ImWithHer train, without reservations, something I would not have believed this time 8 years ago.
President Obama is uncannilly consistent, something extremely rare for American politicians. I am grateful that HRC has made it abundantly clear that she will continue his strategic policies and will enact those that were blocked by GOP lawmakers, who have only shrunk and exposed their haplessness during the past 7 years.
As Bobfr would say, #TrustBarackHesEarnedIt
Our FLOTUS is better than any fashion model because she not only has impeccable taste in clothes and looks gorgeous in them, she also exudes life and joy and a sense of humor. No matter how magnificent and regal she looks, you know she will be warm, friendly and accepting. That’s something nobody can teach you. It comes from being comfortable with who you are and having both empathy and understanding.
jackiegrumbacher, I agree.
^ This!
YES YES YES !!!
Oh Chips, so much beauty! What are we going to do when this beautiful couple is no longer in The White House?
I’m following them right on to the Obama Presidential Center. But I understand they’re going to remain in DC for two years until Sasha graduates from Sidwell. Oh I love my First Family.
So I guess no one is watching the Dem debate this evening? Or is everyone on Twitter? LOL! 🙂
Good evening Chips & TOD!!
I was watching but I can’t stand to watch Sanders, so I turned away.
That’s exactly the reason I declined to watch it this evening. I felt that Sanders might be extra-insufferable because of that narrow win he squeezed out from the MI race.
Right. Not watching.
GM HF2.
Had planned to watch, but wasn’t readily available to livestream, so I passed.
So excited for tonight’s state dinner, plan to ignore the ridiculous 2016 campaign today — plenty of that in the next few days as campaigns gear up for the pivotal “Ides of March” primaries.
From Feb 19, just before NV Dem caucus (GOP 5 primaries [FL IL MO NC OH] with 647 delegates at stake):
Wow how about this debate hit job on Hillary? Amazing she can just stand there and take this shit?
It reminds me of that debate in 08 when steohanoplus was asking then senator Obama questions about REv wright and Bill ayers etc…
same shit, same bottle, every.fucking.day. #ODS
every.fucking.day
There’s a hot corner of hell reserved for all of these haters.
Upon reading the above post I turned the Dem Debate on then watched a couple questions then turned it off. I do not think anything more is being learned now. Both just seem to be harping on the same points and trying to nail the other. Hope the debates do not turn people off like they have me.
What you said Obama gmama is why I was not too upset at the lesser number of Democratic debates than Republican. After a while, there are no new questions for the candidates, and the debates reach a point of diminishing returns.
what purpose other than enriching the effing corporate msm do the ‘debates’ serve at this point?
I agree. How many times can they say the same thing over and over. BS is going to deal with climate change via revolution. How many foreign policy questions have they asked?
There was a couple of interesting things that came out as I monitored the debate on twitter. For the first time in these forums they cited the videotapes of Bernie praising the Communist revolution of Castro and that model of governance. That seemed to be new information for some people and it won’t sell well in Florida. Another bit of information that Bernie hasn’t been confronted with before was his joining the GOP back in 2004 to grant legal liability to the Minutemen organization of racist vigilantees who were terrorizing immigrants. Definite downer for Latinos especially. It was noted that the loudest applause of the night was when the moderators were called out by Hillary for harping on the non-issue of Benghazi.
Love these pictures of State dinners. My favorite dress is the blue and black lace dress for the French dinner, and my favorite picture is the one of the President holding Michelle’s hand as she comes down the steps. The word that describes him is “gallant” He has such grace.
Thanks for the link to 60 minutes on Justin Trudeau, but 10 seconds into Lara Logan’s narration, I had to cut it off. I cannot listen to her. She is condescending and patronizing, and sorry, but her accent raises my hackles. She sounds phony.
Will be watching the arrival tomorrow morning, and the dinner tomorrow evening. About time we gave Canada her due! (Glad it’s not Harper, though)
Amen to the blue/black lace dress! 🙂
(are we voting??)
Beautiful post! Thanks so much, and for the follow-up chat and videos of the Obama china service. This presidency has renewed my sense of the dignity inherent in the office. So clear that it rests on the dignity of those who hold the office, which means it’s up to the voters to ensure it prevails.
Morgan>Messi 😕
#IBELIEVE
What happened to your guy Killer Mike, Dudette? He was fresh back when he was rolling with the Dungeon Family….now he is stray dog!
“My Guy”? GOH! I never even heard of that creep until he started stumping for Bernie.
😀 😀 😀 I thought I would throw a guilt by ATL association at you to see if you were still awake….
Should have known when Outkast dropped him it was a sign of things to come 😕
Nice try. Now OutKast, is an Atlanta DUO whose work I admired when they were together. They occasionally collaborated with other artists. Killer Mike is apparently one of those collaborators – not an actual member of OutKast as far as I know. In any case, I never heard of him before 2016 and what I’ve seen thus far makes me sure I will not be claiming him for any purpose – homeboy or otherwise.
Btw, I’ve never heard/saw this piece either. You could probably name tons of hip hop artists I don’t know and even from the ones I’ve heard of, it’s unlikely I’d be familiar with their entire repertoire. I’m kind of a fuddy-duddy when it comes to the kids music these days — with a few exceptional, exceptions. [shrug]
Here something to smile about:
Aw that’s cute! 🙂
I didn’t watch the debate but on Twitter all the Berniebots are crowing about Bernie winning the debate an on and on about Hillary being beat down. I am so sick of Bernie and his followers. I don’t normally talk like this but I am so tired of them. Bernie has not even started being vetted yet. He doesn’t know what all will be thrown at him.
The moderators were fully anti-Clinton. All he got was softball questions. She was asked about Benghazi, E-mails, being indicted ect… The only hit from the moderators that Bernie took was a video they pulled up of him in the 80’s praising Fidel Castro, and I think that one is going to sting the most since the debate was in Miami.
This one too:
I think Axelrod still has sour grapes about all the bullshit Carville would spew on CNN after then Sen. Obama beat HRC….
Sterling and Rattner are the experts on this. Axlerod must have been asleep at the wheel or he is not aware of the details.
Well we all thought it was the auto industry bail out bill. It bailed out the auto industry.
Problem is Axelrod is mainstreaming this thought process on CNN. Last night I was up waiting for Hawaii results to come in and for the first time in ever they focused on the Dem results…..problem is for 2 straight hours they just showed MI results and exit polls graphics for there and never once showed the MS result or even brought it up. Every single knucklehead claimed the reason HRC lost MI was because of her attack on Bernie in regards to the auto-bailout. One little problem with these lazy SOB talking heads…Hillary lost MI b/c it was an open primary & 30% of the vote were indie (split 70-30 for Bernie). She lost by 20,000 votes out of 1 million+ cast. Hillary actually won the Dem only vote 60-40. Florida is a closed primary….and so are a majority of the ones coming up….but they need ratings so lets build this false narrative 😕
I love looking at the pictures of the State’s Dinners. I’m not sure which one of FLOTUS dresses or gowns is my favorite, I have three or four that I really like. Think the world of the lovely lady wearing them.
Hey Meta, remind you of anything!!!!
Stunning post, Chips!!! Thank you!!!
Good night TOD ….
Wonderful speech but the problem is none of this is shown on regular teevee nor cable news except C-Span which should be free to all. This is why Rethugs don’t care about governing, no one is watching what they really do. They’ve lied so much to their followers they are not trusted anymore.
this one from Sen Warren was a classic – it needs to go viral
Chancellor Angela Merkel looked so nice, happy, beautiful and soft. She seems to genuinely like PBO and appears more relaxed around him
As opposed to creepy-touchy GWB who gave her the heebie-jeebies from inappropriately rubbing on her. Ew!
EW is the right reaction each time that “shoulder-rub” is replayed
Believe this is in Allegheny County around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/is-keith-olbermann-leading-an-874002?utm_source=twitter
Goodnight, TODville, and all the ships at sea!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/embed/video/1272740.html
good morning! have a fantastic day
Morning!
http://theobamadiary.com/2016/03/10/early-bird-chat-688/
Good morning TOD!
Hello Ms. Chips!
This post brought so much joy to my heart…..and tears.
What a magnificent couple we have in the WH!
Every picture shows the connection between them is genuine.
Our POB is so proud to be standing there with our FLOTUS.
A real strong confident woman knows she is a compliment to her man.
They truly have something unique and special.
I really tried to choose one and I honestly could not.
Thank you so very much for this post.
Have a great day everybody!
Sorry I missed this last night but so glad I checked back on this lovely post. Beautiful collection Chips! I love it. When PBO is gone from office I will look back on this post often.