Well wishers line up to shake hands with the president on New Year's Day
With all the hullabaloo created by the Virginia couple that crashed the State Dinner at the White House, I was reminded of the fact that up to the 1930's it was quite common for the president to open the White House on New Year's Day and shake hands with well wishers who stood on line for hours to participate in this event. No invitation was necessary.
As a matter fact, in 1863, President Lincoln shook so many hands that he was afraid of cramps which would make his signature appear weak on a document he intended o sign that evening.
This document was The Emancipation Proclamation.
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