Awesome photos from inside the White House after the lifting of a 40-year photography ban

On Wednesday, First Lady Michelle Obama posted this video to her Instagram account, lifting a 40-year White House ban on photography during tours:

"Guests are now welcome to take photos throughout the White House tour route and keep those memories for a lifetime," the White House said in a statement Wednesday. "Visitors are also encouraged to share their experience using the hashtag #WhiteHouseTour."

Sure enough, #WhiteHouseTour was soon trending on Instagram, and the world was treated to some seldom-seen images of one of the most iconic buildings in the world.

Here are some of the best Instagram shots we found:

From the Blue Room:

 From Cross Hall:

 From the East Room:

 From Entrance Hall:

 

 From the Family Dining Room

 

From the Green Room:

From the Red Room:

 From the State Dining Room:

 And the view from the Portico: