This Day in History: Four Presidents – and a VP – Received the Nobel Peace Prize

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As we reminisce on our rich history here at the White House, this post is unique -- as we are looking back at not just one but five separate years.

Since the creation of the Nobel Peace Prize, four U.S. Presidents and one Vice President have received the award, which is presented each year on December 10.

Keep reading to find out more about the history of Nobel Peace Prizes here at the White House.

What’s the Nobel Peace Prize?

Alfred Nobel was a man of many disciplines -- including science, invention, entrepreneurship, literature, and peace. When he passed away in 1896, he dedicated his will to award those who have been outstanding figures in these fields. As a result, in 1900, the Nobel Foundation was established and became the organization responsible for awarding the Nobel Prizes.

According to Alfred Nobel’s will, the Nobel Peace Prize shall be awarded to those who have “done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses."

The Nobel Peace Prize is an international award that is awarded every year by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. The prize ceremony takes place annually on December 10, the date on which Alfred Nobel passed away. The prize usually includes a medal, personal diploma, and award money.

Woodrow Wilson's Nobel Peace Prize Medal. Picture provided by the Library of Congress.

Which Presidents and Vice Presidents have won a Nobel Prize?

Our story starts in 1906 when Theodore Roosevelt became the first President to win a Nobel Peace Prize. Since then, three other Presidents and one Vice President have received the honor.

Below is a list of recipients from the White House:

• President Woodrow Wilson in 1920, for his efforts in ending the First World War and help in creating the League of Nations.
• President Jimmy Carter in 2002, for his efforts in finding “peaceful solutions to international conflicts, advancing democracy and human rights, and promoting economic and social development.”
• Vice President Al Gore in 2007, for his efforts to obtain and spread knowledge about climate change.
• President Barack Obama in 2009, for his efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation.

When President Obama accepted the prestigious award in 2009, he humbly highlighted his surprise in receiving the honor:

I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the considerable controversy that your generous decision has generated. In part, this is because I am at the beginning, and not the end, of my labors on the world stage. Compared to some of the giants of history who've received this prize -- Schweitzer and King; Marshall and Mandela -- my accomplishments are slight.

President Obama also donated a large sum of the money awarded to him with the Nobel Peace Prize. Find out more about the charities that the President donated to.

If you’re curious, here are a few more fun facts:

• President Theodore Roosevelt’s Nobel Peace Prize currently hangs in the Roosevelt Room in the West Wing. The Roosevelt Room was also President Theodore Roosevelt’s office when the West Wing was built in 1902. Take a look inside the room here.
• When President Obama received the news that he won the Nobel Peace Prize he stated, “after I received the news, Malia walked in and said, 'Daddy, you won the Nobel Peace Prize, and it is Bo's birthday!’ and then Sasha added, ‘plus, we have a three-day weekend coming up.’” Find out more about the morning the President won the Nobel Peace Prize here .
• During the Second World War (1939-1943), no Nobel Prizes were awarded.

Information and photos used in this post are courtesy of the Library of Congress and Norwegian Nobel Institute.