Video: '13th October 1792: Cornerstone of the White House laid in Washington, D.C.'

(Saturday, October 13, 1792, noon local time) — Construction of the United States Executive Mansion (known as the White House after 1818) began today with the laying of the cornerstone by President George Washington during a ceremony in the District of Columbia.

The main residence, as well as the foundations of the house, would be built largely by enslaved and free African-American laborers, as well as employed Europeans. Much of the other work on the house was done by immigrants, many of them without citizenship yet.

The initial construction took place over a period of eight years, at a reported cost of $232,371.83 (equivalent to $3,710,000 in 2021).

Although not yet completed, the White House was ready for occupancy in November 1800 by then-President John Adams and his family.