User:LavaBaron/SV
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
State and official visits to the United States are formal visits by the head of state (state visit) or chief of government (official visit) 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 Hawaii in 1874, while the first visit of a still independent foreign state to the United States was the state visit of Brazil in 1881. Since then numerous emperors, kings, presidents, and prime ministers have been formally received by the president of the United States in Washington, DC. In addition to state and official visits, the United States also receives foreign dignitaries in official working visits and working visits, which are primarily functional trips that occur with less or no ceremony.