Ever Wonder What It's Like to Sit at the Resolute Desk?

Sneak peek: Obama's First Day in the Oval Office

Resolute desk: a historical seat of power

The Resolute desk sits in the Oval Office, a constant presence in the American political landscape. Ever since President Rutherford B. Hayes installed it in 1880, every president has used it, making it a powerful symbol of the office.

The desk's history is as rich as the country it represents. In 1854, the British ship Resolute was trapped in the Arctic ice. The Americans rescued the ship and returned it to England, where Queen Victoria had the ship's timbers used to create the Resolute desk as a gift to President Rutherford B. Hayes.

A place of decision and action

The Resolute desk is more than just a piece of furniture; it is a powerful symbol of the American presidency. It has been witness to some of the most important decisions in American history, from the Cuban Missile Crisis to the signing of the Civil Rights Act.

The desk is also a place where presidents have found solace and inspiration. President John F. Kennedy kept a model of a PT boat on the desk, a reminder of his service in World War II. President Ronald Reagan kept a Bible on the desk, a symbol of his faith.

A glimpse into the president's mind

The Resolute desk is a reflection of the president who occupies the Oval Office. It is a window into the president's mind, a way to understand the hopes and dreams of the American people.

When President Barack Obama first sat at the Resolute desk in 2009, he was overwhelmed by the sense of history. He said that sitting at the desk was like "touching the spine of America."

The Resolute desk is a reminder of the power and responsibility of the American presidency. It is a symbol of the hopes and dreams of the American people. It is a place where history is made, and where the future is shaped.