Oval Office: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Nov. 12, 2026

News •

Biden Reveals Details of Trump’s ‘Very Generous’ 2021 Oval Office Letter • Nov. 10, 2026, 2:51 PM ET (Newsweek)

Trump makes the Oval Office a national monument. But future presidents can still redecorate • Nov. 5, 2026, 8:31 PM ET (AP)

Photos

The first Oval Office

Beginnings of the Resolute Desk

Rutherford B. Hayes

Treaty of Paris, 1899

President Barack Obama sits at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office signing an executive order, surrounded by a group of men and women standing behind him.

Resolute Desk plaque

See All Images and Interactives →

Topics

White House Camp David Reichstag 10 Downing Street Palazzo Vecchio Royal Courts of Justice Houses of Parliament The Kremlin Hellenic Parliament Building Malacañang Palace