Rare pictures of the White House Situation Room

Get a glimpse of some very rare photos of the White House Situation Room below where some of the most crucial decisions in history have been taken.

The room was created in 1961 by then US President John F. Kennedy to monitor and deal with crises within the country and even abroad and to conduct secure communication with outside persons. The 5000 sq-foot conference room is well-equipped with secure, advanced communication equipment for the President to maintain command and control of U.S. forces around the world.

The room is staffed by a number of senior officers from various sectors of the US intelligence agencies who work on a 24-hour basis, constantly monitoring world events and keeping senior White House staff apprised of significant events.