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Throwback Thursday: A Look Back at the White House Website 20 Years Ago

October 23, 2014 at 10:20 AM ET by Kajal Singh and Zach Sorenson
Summary: 
The first White House website was launched 20 years ago in 1994, the same year we were born.
The Original White House Homepage

The White House launched its first website twenty years ago, creating new ways for Americans to find information about and interact with the President and the Executive Branch.

When was the first White House website launched?

The first White House website went live under the Clinton administration 20 years ago in 1994, the same year we were born. As interns in the White House Office of Digital Strategy and children of the 90s, we grew up alongside the several updated versions of the White House website.

In a way, we’ve shared our awkward teenage years with the site -- including our transition from clip art to emoji, VHS to YouTube videos, and full sentences to 140 characters.

What’s Changed?

While a lot has changed with the website since 1994, one thing hasn’t: our commitment to create meaningful ways for Americans to engage and connect with the White House. Share your comments and questions through our current website -- then take a look at how online engagement has changed over the years:

The original White House website included a simple form for sending a message to the President or Vice President. Today, you can still submit questions and comments online, but you can also engage in a number of other ways, including on social media and through the We The People petitions platform.

President Clinton likes to play with the family cat , Socks , (~36K) (~37K) as well as enjoying other leisure time activities, such as horseback riding , bike riding, and boating.

Check out photos of Bo and Sunny, the First Family dogs. Although the White House website no longer includes audio recordings of the First Pets, a transcript of Bo barking would presumably read, "Ruff. Ruff. Ruff."

Al Gore's Cartoon Gallery

Over the years, Al Gore's caricature has appeared in numerous local and national cartoon strips. Vice President Al Gore has amassed a large personal collection of cartoons characterizing his public life. Below are a few examples from his personal collection.

Some text goes here. Blah, blah, blah. (Reproduced with permission of Bruce Beattie)

This cartoon depicts a NEW Al Gore as the character from the movie Terminator 2. As a member of the United States Senate, Al Gore's early and steadfast leadership has influenced American policy in such areas as the environment, science, space, technology and foreign affairs. (Reproduced with the permission of Jack Ohman)

Although the current White House website does not include a gallery of Vice Presidential cartoons, you can check out the Vice President's "Being Biden" audio series.

Want to see more? Take a look inside the archived website here.

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