5848240 New Year reception at the White House, citizens waiting to be received, 1927 (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Thousands of citizens waiting to be received at the New Year\'s Reception at the White House, a tradition 1801-1932 when everyone from the common citizen to the highest-ranking diplomat was welcomed. By the early 20th century, crowds swelled to more than 6,000, and a line on the sidewalk outside the White House snaked out beyond the gates and around the block); American, out of copyright.