page_title: State visits to the United States
section_title: Order of events for a state dinner
hierarchical_section_title: State visits to the United States / Ceremonial activities / State dinner / Order of events for a state dinner
caption_attribution_description: English: A calligraphy menu for a state dinner at the White House. The Clinton china service is being used.
context_page_description: State and official visits to the United States are formal visits by the head of state or chief of government from one country to the United States, during which the president of the United States acts as official host of the visitor. State visits are considered to be the highest expression of friendly bilateral relations between the United States and a foreign state and are, in general, characterized by an emphasis on official public ceremonies.
  The first visit of a foreign state to the United States was the state visit of the then-independent Kingdom of Hawaii in 1874; this was followed by the state visit of Brazil in 1876. Since then, numerous emperors, queens, kings, presidents, and prime ministers have been formally received by the President of the United States in Washington. In addition to state and official visits, the United States also receives foreign dignitaries in official working visits, which are primarily functional trips that occur with less or no ceremony.
caption: A calligraphy menu for a state dinner at the White House. The Clinton china service is being used.
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