Photos: The State of the Union as political theater

The modern State of the Union address traces its origins to Woodrow Wilson, who revived the annual speech before Congress in 1913. George Washington gave the first one in 1790, but Thomas Jefferson discontinued the practice in 1801. He felt it was too resonant of a monarch’s behavior. Library of Congress

Vice President Lyndon Johnson, left, and Speaker Sam Rayburn listen to John F. Kennedy in 1961. The vice president and speaker of the House are always seated behind the president during the address. Paul Schutzer/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

President Ronald Reagan gives his address to George H.W. Bush, left, and James C. Wright Jr. in 1987. Before delivering his speech, the president presents copies to the vice president and the speaker of the House. Terry Ashe/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

Reagan was the first president to invite special guests to sit in the gallery and listen to the speech. In 1982 he acknowledged Lenny Skutnik, center, for his heroism in helping rescue a woman after the crash of an airplane in the Potomac River. Dirck Halstead/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Members of Bill Clinton’s Cabinet stand and applaud during his 1998 speech while the members of the Supreme Court sit quietly. The justices always sit nearest the rostrum and rarely applaud during the address in order to preserve the appearance of political neutrality. Joe Marquette/AFP/Getty Images

President George W. Bush rehearses his 2002 speech in the family theater of the White House. Presidents spend hours honing their language and presentation for the address. Eric Draper/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

In 2011, President Barack Obama waits with, from left, Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C.; Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.; and Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., to make his entrance, which will be announced by House Sergeant at Arms Bill Livingood, far left. Specially chosen members of Congress traditionally escort presidents into the House chamber for the address. Pete Souza/White House

As they enter the chamber, presidents stop to shake hands and greet members of Congress. In an especially dramatic moment in 2012, Obama hugs Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who announced days before that she would resign from Congress to focus on her recovery from injuries sustained during the 2011 attempt on her life. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Obama delivers his 2014 address. The speeches are delivered to a packed chamber, though a member of the administration and a few members of Congress purposely do not attend in order to provide continuity and a rump government should a catastrophe claim the lives of all present. Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images