When Prime Minister Ben-Gurion visited the United States in 1951, he searched for a suitable gift to give to Harry S. Truman. The Jewish Museum suggested the menorah, and Prime Minister Ben-Gurion presented it to Truman on his birthday. The tradition came full circle in 2008, when President George W Bush - the first president to establish an annual Hanukkah celebration at the White House - borrowed the same menorah for that year's celebration. #HISTORYHonors250 Discover more American history on our site: https://www.history.com/250 Celebrating 250 years of America’s history, we reflect on its journey from independence in 1776 to global influence. Through resilience and progress, the U.S. has faced challenges, fought for equality, and shaped a diverse nation, committed to liberty, justice, and unity. Join us on this exciting journey through 250 years of progress and keep visiting HISTORY.com for more stories of breakthrough innovations, major achievements, and unsung heroes that have shaped the nation. Don't miss a video! Subscribe NOW: https://www.youtube.com/@HISTORY?sub_confirmation=1 ABOUT THE HISTORY CHANNEL: The HISTORY® Channel, a division of A+E Global Media, is the premier destination for historical storytelling. From best-in-class documentary events, to a signature slate of industry leading nonfiction series and premium fact-based scripted programming, The HISTORY® Channel serves as the most trustworthy source of informational entertainment in media. FOLLOW HISTORY CHANNEL: Watch Full Episodes: https://www.history.com/videos Sign Up For History Emails: https://www.history.com/emails/sign-up Browse Topical Videos: https://www.history.com/topics Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HISTORY/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/history TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@history X: https://twitter.com/history YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HISTORY Copyright Notice: This video and my YouTube channel contain dialog, music, and images that are property of The HISTORY® Channel. You are authorized to share the video link and channel, and embed this video in your website or others as long as a link back to our YouTube Channel is provided. © 2025 The HISTORY® Channel Hanukkah at the White House | History Honors 250 https://www.youtube.com/@HISTORY/