History of Camp David in Timeline
Camp David, the country retreat for the U.S. president, spans 125 acres within Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland. Located approximately 62 miles north-northwest of Washington, D.C., it's officially known as Naval Support Facility Thurmont. Despite its rustic setting, Camp David functions as a military installation, primarily staffed by the Navy Seabees (construction battalions), Civil Engineer Corps, Marines, and other Navy personnel. Construction and maintenance of the facility falls under the purview of the Seabees.
1935: Construction Begins on Hi-Catoctin
Construction of Hi-Catoctin, later known as Camp David, began in 1935 as a retreat for federal government agents and their families.
1938: Hi-Catoctin Construction Completed
Construction of Hi-Catoctin was completed in 1938.
1942: Shangri-La Established
In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt converted Hi-Catoctin into a presidential retreat and renamed it "Shangri-La".
May 1943: Roosevelt Hosts Churchill
In May 1943, President Roosevelt hosted Winston Churchill at Shangri-La during World War II.
1953: Camp David Named
In 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower renamed Shangri-La to "Camp David" in honor of his father and grandson.
1954: Golf Course Designed at Camp David
Around 1954, golf course architect Robert Trent Jones designed a practice golf facility at Camp David for President Eisenhower.
November 22, 1955: Eisenhower's First Cabinet Meeting at Camp David
On November 22, 1955, President Eisenhower held his first cabinet meeting at Camp David after recovering from a heart attack.
September 1959: Eisenhower and Khrushchev Meet
President Eisenhower and Nikita Khrushchev met at Camp David for discussions in September 1959.
September 1978: Camp David Accords
In September 1978, President Carter brokered the Camp David Accords between Egyptian president Anwar al-Sadat and Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin.
1984: Reagan Hosts Thatcher
In 1984, President Reagan hosted British prime minister Margaret Thatcher at Camp David.
1992: First Wedding at Camp David
In 1992, George H. W. Bush's daughter, Dorothy Bush Koch, was married at Camp David, marking the first wedding held there.
July 2000: 2000 Camp David Summit
In July 2000, President Clinton hosted the 2000 Camp David Summit between Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian Authority chairman Yasser Arafat.
February 2001: Bush Hosts Blair
In February 2001, President George W. Bush held his first meeting with a European leader, UK prime minister Tony Blair, at Camp David.
2003: Bush Hosts Putin and Musharraf
In 2003, President George W. Bush hosted Russian president Vladimir Putin and Pakistani President Musharraf at Camp David.
June 2006: Bush Hosts Rasmussen
In June 2006, President George W. Bush hosted Danish prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen at Camp David.
2007: Bush Hosts Brown
In 2007, President George W. Bush hosted British prime minister Gordon Brown at Camp David.
July 2, 2011: F-15 Intercepts Civilian Aircraft
On July 2, 2011, an F-15 intercepted a civilian aircraft near Camp David while President Obama was in residence.
July 10, 2011: F-15 Intercepts Another Plane
On July 10, 2011, an F-15 intercepted another small plane near Camp David while President Obama was in residence.
2012: 38th G8 Summit
In 2012, President Obama hosted the 38th G8 summit at Camp David.
2015: Obama Hosts Medvedev and GCC Summit
In 2015, President Obama hosted Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev and the GCC Summit at Camp David.
2018: Trump Hosts Republican Leaders
In 2018, President Trump hosted Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan at Camp David.
2019: Planned Taliban Meeting Cancelled
In 2019, President Trump planned to meet with the Taliban at Camp David, but the meeting was cancelled after a suicide bombing in Kabul.
2020: 46th G7 Summit Cancelled
The 46th G7 summit, planned to be held at Camp David in 2020, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
August 2023: U.S.–Japan–Korea Summit
In August 2023, President Biden hosted the U.S.–Japan–Korea Summit at Camp David, resulting in the Camp David Principles.
